The Nigerian Senate has responded to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s complaint to the United Nations Inter-Parliamentary Union through a letter issued by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.
Senator Natasha had taken her case before the international body, seeking intervention over what she described as injustice following her suspension from the Senate.
However, the Senate, in its response, refuted claims that her suspension was linked to allegations of sexual harassment or assault. The letter was read by the Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Honourable Kafilat Ogbara, who attended the IPU event as Nigeria’s representative.
The letter stated, “Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behaviour and not as a result of allegations of sexual harassment or assault. 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.
“Let it be unequivocally stated that Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent act of misconduct and disregard for the Senate Standing Orders.”
The Nigerian Senate’s representative at the IPU event also called for a thorough investigation into the allegations Senator Natasha raised against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She further emphasised that all proper procedures were followed before the decision to suspend the Kogi Central senator was taken.
Despite the Senate’s stance, Senator Natasha has vowed to continue her fight against what she termed “injustice”. Meanwhile, Senate President Akpabio has denied all allegations against him, maintaining that “he has never assaulted women” .
The dispute between the two lawmakers escalated on February 20, 2025, after Senator Natasha’s seat was changed during a plenary session, leading to a confrontation.
This is not the first time both senators have clashed. In July 2024, while addressing her over alleged misconduct, Akpabio told Natasha to abide by the Senate rules, stating that “the Senate is not a nightclub where anybody can talk anyhow”. The Senate President later apologised for the remark.
