Senate President Godswill Akpabio has expressed concerns that the sexual harassment allegations leveled against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan could deter future appointments of women to high-ranking political positions.
Akpabio warned that such actions might discourage politicians from selecting female deputy governors, potentially hindering women’s representation in governance.
He said, “…The reality is that, we remain resolute, we are law-abiding, we operate through the rules of the Senate, which is an extension of the powers and the privileges given to us by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We still are open to making sure we remain in peace. We left room for her to realise that what she did may even frighten a lot of men in the future from even appointing or selecting female deputy governors.
Recall that, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.
The allegations have not only led to her suspension from the Senate but have also drawn international attention, prompting discussions on gender dynamics within Nigerian politics.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, alleged that during a visit to Akpabio’s residence on December 8, 2023, the Senate President made unwelcome advances. She claimed that Akpabio held her hand, led her around his house, and made inappropriate remarks while her husband was nearby. Further, she alleged that Akpabio suggested she “make him happy” in exchange for smoother consideration of her motions in the Senate.
Following these allegations, the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions reviewed the petition.
However, the committee dismissed it, citing procedural violations, including Akpoti-Uduaghan’s failure to adhere to established protocols for submitting such petitions. Subsequently, on March 6, 2025, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, attributing the decision to her alleged misconduct during plenary sessions.
The Senate leadership emphasized that her suspension was unrelated to the sexual harassment allegations but was due to her refusal to sit in her assigned seat, speaking without recognition, and making disrespectful remarks against the Senate leadership.
Unyielding, Akpoti-Uduaghan escalated the matter to international platforms. She presented her case at the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, urging global bodies to hold the Nigerian Senate accountable. In response, the Senate defended its actions before the Inter-Parliamentary Union, asserting that her suspension was due to gross misconduct and not her harassment claims.
Kafilat Ogbara, Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, represented the Nigerian Senate at the IPU, emphasizing the importance of a thorough and unbiased investigation into the allegations.
During plenary on Thursday, Senate President Akpabio addressed the chamber, reflecting on the broader implications of the allegations. He expressed concerns that such accusations might deter future appointments or selections of female deputy governors.
Drawing a parallel, Akpabio remarked, “You can imagine if someone like Kamala, the immediate past Vice President of the United States, were to go on CNN to say that Biden, the President, sexually assaulted her by shaking her hand or by holding her hand to show her the office of the president.”
He emphasized the Senate’s commitment to operating within the confines of the law and maintaining peace.
The suspension and the surrounding events have elicited strong reactions from civil society organizations. Chioma Agwuegbo, executive director of TechHerNG, an organization advocating for women’s rights, criticized the ethics committee’s handling of the case, alleging bias. She stated, “The ethics committee to which her petition was referred has shown that it is not fit for … .”
Similarly, the Advocacy for Integrity and Rule of Law warned that the Senate risks losing public trust if it fails to manage Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension cautiously. The group emphasized that the ongoing conflict could tarnish the Senate’s image and jeopardize Nigeria’s democracy. AIRL’s chairman, Mohammed Ibrahim Gamawa, urged the Senate to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could deny Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituency their right to representation.
In addition to her international appeals, Akpoti-Uduaghan has sued Senate President Akpabio, seeking 100 billion Naira (approximately $64,000) in damages. She contends that her suspension violates principles of natural justice, fairness, and equity. Akpabio has denied …, maintaining that he has always upheld respect for women, citing his upbringing and previous accolades as a gender-friendly governor.
Despite the controversy, Akpabio pleaded with politicians not to let the actions of one individual affect opportunities for other women, particularly highlighting his concern for his four daughters. He urged that the sins of one should not be used to punish others, emphasizing the importance of maintaining opportunities for women in politics.
On Thursday, during plenary, in reacting to the accusation by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, the Senate unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Akpabio’s leadership. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele emphasized that the matter was already in court and urged Nigerians not to be swayed by external narratives. He clarified that at no point between August 2023 and now was the Senate formally informed of any sexual harassment claims. The only issue before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions was a petition concerning Akpoti-Uduaghan’s alleged violation of Senate rules.
Addressing female political representation, Akpabio highlighted that women constitute 51% of the voting population in Nigeria but remain underrepresented in governance. He proposed legislative solutions, citing examples from countries like Tanzania, South Africa, and Malawi, where parliamentary seats are constitutionally reserved for women. Akpabio advocated for amendments to Nigeria’s electoral laws to ensure increased female representation in government.
This incident has spotlighted the broader issue of female representation in Nigerian politics. Currently, only four out of 109 senators are women, marking an all-time low since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999. This disparity underscores the challenges women face in the political arena, including underrepresentation and potential marginalization.