Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has formally reported Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), seeking international intervention following her suspension from the Nigerian Senate.
Speaking at the IPU meeting held on Tuesday at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and condemned what she described as her unlawful suspension from legislative duties.
In her words:
“I come with a heavy heart from Nigeria,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said during her address to the IPU assembly.
“Five days ago, on the 6th of March 2025, I was suspended as a senator illegally because I submitted a petition of sexual harassment against the president of the Nigerian senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.”
“I thought by submitting the petition, he would recuse himself and both of us would submit ourselves to the committee of ethics, privileges and public petitions for a fair and transparent investigation.
“But unfortunately, I was silenced, and I was suspended for six months among many other stringent conditions, such as taking away my security, taking away all the official vehicles and other items that were handed over to me as a senator.
“My salary would be cut off. I must not appear anywhere near the national assembly. And for six months, I am not to present myself as a senator locally in Nigeria and internationally. I am here illegally, and I have no other place to go but to come here”.
The senator emphasized that her case reflects a larger issue of gender discrimination and the exclusion of women from political leadership roles in Nigeria.
“This is a clear case of political victimization, punishment for speaking out against impunity, corruption and gender-based violence,” she said.
