The controversy surrounding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and her subsequent suspension from the Senate is far from dying down. On Tuesday, the embattled Kogi Senator elevated the issue to an international platform, speaking at the Women in Parliament session during the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting at the United Nations in New York.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Nigerian Senate had suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for allegedly violating Senate rules shortly after she submitted a petition accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment and other serious allegations. Akpabio has vehemently denied the claims, but the matter continues to stir controversy in the Nigerian political landscape.
During her address at the global event, Akpoti-Uduaghan described her suspension as unjust and illegal, emphasizing that her actions were in pursuit of accountability. “I was suspended illegally because I submitted a petition for sexual harassment against the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. I thought that by submitting the petition, he would recuse himself and both of us would submit ourselves to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition for a fair, transparent investigation. But unfortunately, I was silenced and I was suspended,” she said, expressing her frustration at the response she had received.
She also framed her suspension as part of a larger issue of systemic exclusion of women from political leadership in Nigeria, stating that the incident was not just about her but reflected broader challenges in women’s political representation. “That means I’m here illegally, but I have no other place to go but to come here and speak to you because this is a bigger picture. This is a bigger picture. It depicts the crisis of women’s political representation,” Akpoti-Uduaghan added.
After her speech, she expressed concerns for her safety, claiming that there were signs she could be detained in New York by certain forces from Nigeria, due to her outspoken stance on the issue.
The senator’s suspension, which took place last week, has been a hotly debated topic across Nigeria. The Senate had dismissed her initial petition against Akpabio, and despite submitting a second petition, Akpoti-Uduaghan was still suspended. However, Akpabio has continued to deny the allegations, stating that he has never harassed any women.
The disagreement between the two lawmakers dates back to February 20, 2025, when Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat was moved during plenary, sparking a confrontation. This was not their first altercation, as in July 2024, Akpabio reprimanded Akpoti-Uduaghan for what he deemed misconduct, stating that the Senate was not a nightclub where anyone could speak freely. Though Akpabio later apologized for the remark, tensions between the two have remained high.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has vowed to continue her fight against what she deems an injustice, ensuring her voice remains heard in the face of adversity.
