PeakNews Online
Suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken her case against Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), alleging political victimization and sexual harassment.
Speaking at the Women in Parliament session at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York, Akpoti-Uduaghan described her six-month suspension from the Senate as unlawful and called for intervention from global democratic institutions.
Allegations and Call for Justice
In an emotional address, the senator claimed her suspension was orchestrated as punishment for speaking out against injustice within Nigeria’s legislative system. She further alleged that Akpabio had engaged in acts of intimidation, including sexual harassment.
“I am here today to demand justice. The suppression of female voices in politics must stop. My unlawful suspension is not just about me—it is about the larger struggle for gender equality in leadership,” she stated.
Fears Over Safety
Following her speech, Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed concerns for her safety, suggesting that influential figures in Nigeria could attempt to detain her upon her return for publicly addressing the issue on an international stage.
Background on Suspension
In March, the Nigerian Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan after a report by its Committee on Ethics, Rules, and Code of Conduct. As a result, she was:
- Barred from the National Assembly premises
- Stripped of her Senate privileges
- Denied her salary for six months
The case has drawn widespread criticism from civil society groups and gender rights advocates, who argue that her suspension violates democratic principles and reinforces systemic gender-based discrimination in Nigerian politics.
