The Nigerian Senate has insisted that the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was due to gross misconduct and not related to her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking before the Inter-Parliamentary Union on Wednesday, Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, refuted claims made by Akpoti-Uduaghan at a United Nations event, where she alleged she was suspended for raising concerns about sexual harassment in the Senate.
“Such allegations demand a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation. At the same time, we must ensure that fairness is upheld for all individuals involved and that justice is neither predetermined nor one-sided,” Ogbara stated.
She reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to gender equality and legislative reforms, saying, “Nigeria remains firmly committed to upholding women’s rights and combating gender-based violence through strong legal frameworks and institutions. Our Parliament and Judiciary continue to undergo reforms to strengthen these efforts.”
Presenting the official position of the Senate, Ogbara read a letter from Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, which categorically denied that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension had anything to do with her allegations against Akpabio.
“Senator Natasha-Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behaviour and not as a result of allegation of sexual harassment or assault,” the letter read.
The Senate accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of violating Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of its rules, adding, “The authority of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria firmly refutes the deliberate misinformation and false narrative being circulated by certain media organisations regarding the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha-Akpoti-Uduaghan.”
Explaining the reasons for her suspension, Bamidele’s letter stated, “If Akpoti-Uduaghan had strictly followed its guiding principles, the Senate would have treated her petition based on merit in line with its practice, noting that she never obeyed the established practices of the institution where she was serving.”
The letter further detailed that “Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was a decision of the Committee of the Whole Senate, following the submission of a report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.”
The Senate accused her of “refusing to sit in her assigned seat during plenary on February 25, 2025, despite multiple pleas from the leadership and other ranking senators,” and engaging in “unruly and disruptive behaviour.”
It also stated that she made “abusive and disrespectful remarks against the leadership of the Senate” and “defied and refused to comply with the summons of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges mandated to investigate cases of misconduct.”
Justifying its decision, the Senate maintained that the suspension was necessary to restore order and uphold its integrity.
“No senator, regardless of status, gender, or political affiliation, is above the rules of the Senate,”the statement added.
The Senate urged media organisations to “correct the misrepresentations and refrain from spreading falsehoods that undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative process.”
