Senate War: Sexual Harassment Scandal and Senator Natasha’s Suspension
Amid the celebration of International Women’s Day, Nigerians spoke of and looked into the matter of alleged unfair action taken against one of the female senators in the Senate house. In a bid to “Accelerate Action”, attention grew on the case of Senator Natasha and Senate President Akpabio.
On the 6th of March, 46-year-old Senator Natasha Apoti-Uduaghan who is a serving first-term senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the 10th Assembly under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) received a lot of attention for a suspension from the Senate House for calling out what she described to be an unfair action against her at a senatorial meeting.
Initial Occurrence
On the 20th of February, 2025, Senator Natasha had some prior prejudice against the Senate President, Senate President Godswill Akpabio due to a claim of sexual harassment. He was said to have made derogatory remarks at her at a plenary session about a year ago and had tied the movement of a motion proposed by her to sexual favours. This along with a claim of intentionally trying to suppress her voice and preventing her legislative duties by reallocating her seat on said day didn’t sit well with the female senator.
Enraged by these occurrences, she had an outburst where she kept speaking despite instructions from the presiding officer. Senator Natasha refused to go to the seat reallocated to her and was trying to get her point across to the presiding officer and the Senate House but did this with a raised voice, disrupting the session.
Due to the violation of the Senate rule which states that a senator is to speak only from their allocated seat and not cause a scene at the Senate House, the house unanimously voted that the case be referred to the Committee of Ethics and Code of Conduct for disciplinary action after the senate president had ordered the sergeant-at-arms to remove Senator Natasha from the hallowed chamber.
Second Plenary Session
In light of these happenings, Senator Natasha presented a petition from her constituent against the Senate President for “Sexual Harassment, abuse of office and obstruction of legislative function of distinguished Senator Natasha Apoti-Uduaghan” on the 6th of March.
Following the laying of the petition before the President, he referred it to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions to be reverted to the Senate House four weeks from the date.
The Chairman of the Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, Neda Imasuen then rose to present a report against the disruption caused by Senator Natasha following the reallocation of her seat in the senate meeting the previous day.
Senator Natasha’s Suspension
After deliberation, the committee decided to suspend her 6 months due to her misconduct in the Senate house, during the period of the suspension, she was to be stripped of her security and senate privileges, her office was to be locked up and she was not to present herself as a senator in any local or international gathering.
But if she submitted a written apology to the house for her misconduct, her suspension would be reviewed.
This caused an uproar in the Nigerian society and all social media outlets — especially the female citizens on the seeming injustice of the matter and the punishment meted out to Senator Natasha.
In a social media post by the Senator, she said, “Against the culture of silence, intimidation and victim-shaming; my unjust suspension from the Nigerian Senate invalidates the principles of natural justice, fairness and equity. The illegal suspension does not withdraw my legitimacy as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I will continue to use my duly elected position to serve my constituents and country to the best of my ability till 2027 … and beyond.”
Senator Natasha believes strongly that the action taken against her was largely political and in a bid to silence her, especially since her sexual harassment petition was rejected on procedural grounds. In an interview, Senator Uduaghan alleged that Akpabio had made inappropriate advances towards her during a visit to his residence in southern Akwa Ibom state, on 8 December 2023.
Involvement of the IPU
On March 11, 2025, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from Kogi Central took her case to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) at the United Nations headquarters in New York, seeking intervention regarding her six-month suspension from the Nigerian Senate.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union(IPU) is the global organisation of national parliaments, that promotes peace, democracy, and sustainable development through parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue.
Summary of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Case with the IPU
Allegations and Suspension:
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed her suspension was due to her filing a sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
She was suspended effective March 6, 2025, following a report by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
Senate’s Position:
The Nigerian Senate, through Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, stated that her suspension was for “gross misconduct and unruly behaviour,” specifically violating Senate Standing Rules and refusing to adhere to sitting arrangements. The Senate denied any connection between her suspension and sexual harassment allegations.
Suspension Conditions:
The suspension includes restrictions on her rights and privileges as a senator, removal of security and official vehicles, salary suspension, prohibition from appearing at the National Assembly, and restrictions on representing herself as a senator locally or internationally.
Ethics Committee Decision:
The ethics committee dismissed her petition, citing procedural violations, specifically that she signed the petition instead of having it endorsed by another individual.
Committee Chairman Senator Neda Imasuen stated that the petition “runs contrary to Senate rules and cannot be entertained.”
IPU Response:
After hearing her complaint, the IPU indicated it would take the necessary steps to address her concerns after hearing from the other side. Representative Kafilat Ogbara, Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, presented Nigeria’s official response at the IPU.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan framed her case as not just personal but representing the broader issues faced by Nigerian women in politics.
Recall Move
Unfortunately, as of the 19th of March, 2025, following a vote of no confidence by some of her constituents, a recall process has been initiated against Senator Natasha. This move could see her removed from office before the end of her tenure, however, no senator in Nigerian history has been successfully recalled from office.
What's Your Reaction?
