Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has been suspended from the Nigerian Senate for six months following allegations of sexual assault against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The Senate’s ethics committee recommended the suspension, citing her refusal to sit in her assigned seat, speaking without recognition, and making abusive remarks against the Senate leadership. As a result, Akpoti-Uduaghan will be barred from her office, and her allowances and security will be withdrawn during the suspension period.
In response to her suspension and the dismissal of her sexual assault allegations, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has reported the matter to the United Nations Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). She seeks intervention from the international body, alleging bias in the Senate’s handling of her case and expressing concerns about the treatment of female parliamentarians in Nigeria. The IPU, which addresses issues related to the protection and rights of parliamentarians globally, is expected to review her complaint.
The suspension has sparked criticism from various quarters, with women’s rights advocates and political analysts questioning the Senate’s decision. Chioma Agwuegbo, executive director of TechHerNG, an organization advocating for women’s rights, condemned the ethics committee’s handling of the … Critics argue that the suspension could deter other female lawmakers from speaking out against misconduct, thereby perpetuating a culture of silence.
Senate President Akpabio has denied the sexual assault allegations, stating that they emerged only after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s committee position changed. He emphasized that the suspension was unrelated to the allegations and was solely based on her conduct within the Senate. The Senate’s majority leader, Opeyemi Bamidele … suggested that Akpoti-Udu … legislative duties to “learn the … Senate.”
The case has drawn international attention to the challenges faced by female politicians in Nigeria, where women’s representation in parliament has dropped to an … the country’s return to democratic rule in 199 … . Observers await the IPU’s response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s complaint, which could have implications for the protection of parliamentarians’ rights and the promotion of gender equality in political spaces.
