Sexual harassment allegation: Injustice won’t be sustained — Natasha faults Senate suspension
…Ezekwesili criticises Senate for avoiding investigation
…Senate should be a place of honour, not controversy — Remi Tinubu
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has condemned her six-month suspension by the Senate, calling it an “injustice” and vowing that it will not stand.
The suspension follows allegations of misconduct and a confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over a seat allocation in the upper chamber.
The Senate had earlier adopted the recommendation of its Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions Committee, which concluded that Akpoti-Uduaghan had violated Senate rules and engaged in disrespectful behaviour towards her colleagues, including Akpabio.
The decision was prompted by an earlier incident in which the Kogi lawmaker objected to the Senate’s new seating arrangement, leading to a public disagreement with the Senate President.
In her response, Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused Akpabio of obstructing her motions and bills, and publicly humiliating her in front of her colleagues.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan remains defiant, asserting that the suspension is part of a wider pattern of intimidation and injustice.
In a statement released shortly after the Senate’s announcement, she declared, “This injustice will not be sustained. I will continue to fight for my rights and the rights of my people.”
The suspension, which is set to last six months, includes several harsh conditions. During this period, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s security details will be withdrawn, and she will be prohibited from entering the National Assembly.
The Senate also recommended that she apologize for her behavior, claiming that her actions had brought disrespect to the institution.
Despite the Senate’s firm stance, Akpoti-Uduaghan has not remained silent.
In a video that went viral shortly after the Senate’s decision, she reiterated her position, saying, “This injustice will not be sustained.”
The video, in which her microphone was abruptly cut off as she spoke, highlighted the tension between the senator and the Senate leadership.
The saga surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension is further complicated by a separate, ongoing sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Akpabio.
The Kogi senator had previously submitted a formal petition accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment, an issue that remains unresolved.
The allegations are central to the current turmoil and have intensified the friction between the two lawmakers.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters argue that the suspension is an attempt to silence her over her outspoken stance on various issues, including her sexual harassment claim against Akpabio.
Meanwhile, former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili expressed strong disapproval of the Nigerian Senate’s recent decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months.
She emphasised that the chamber’s failure to investigate the serious sexual harassment allegations made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio is deeply concerning.
The controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan erupted after a seat arrangement dispute in the Senate chamber in late February 2025.
Following the disagreement, Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office. The Kogi Central senator subsequently filed a defamation lawsuit against Akpabio, demanding N100 billion in damages.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition on March 5, 2025, citing procedural flaws and the fact that the matter was already before the courts. Undeterred, Akpoti-Uduaghan re-submitted her petition the very next day.
Ezekwesili, in her response to the Senate’s actions, criticised the body for not taking the allegations seriously and instead resorting to punitive action against the senator.
“The Senate’s focus should have been on conducting a fair and thorough investigation into the sexual harassment claims made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. Instead, they chose to take punitive action against the victim,” she said.
She added that the handling of this situation by the Senate sends a disturbing message about the treatment of women who come forward with allegations of sexual harassment in the political space.
In a statement, Ezekwesili further emphasised that the Senate’s actions undermine the integrity of the institution and the very principle of justice.
“Rather than addressing the serious allegations of harassment, the Senate has opted to silence the accuser and punish her for speaking out. This is not only unjust but also an abuse of power,” she said.
Also, Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu called for the Senate to be treated with the respect and honour it deserves, emphasising that it should not be a breeding ground for controversy.
This was contained in a statement by her spokesperson, Bukola Kukoyi on her X, formerly Twitter, account on Thursday.
Speaking to journalists ahead of International Women’s Day, the First Lady urged Nigerian women to assert themselves in leadership roles and not allow themselves to be sidelined or mistreated.
“I believe that the Senate is doing what is needful, because that’s what it is,” Tinubu stated, maintaining that the Senate should operate with maturity and respect.
She further reflected on her own experience as a former member of the Senate, stressing that it is an honour to be part of the legislative body.
“We shouldn’t be hearing things like that. It’s a matured chamber, and it should be treated with respect,” she remarked.
Tinubu encouraged women to protect their dignity and not allow inappropriate behaviour, stating, “You can always shut them down before they start.”
The allegations stem from an altercation between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio in late February 2025, over a change in seating arrangements.
Tinubu also acknowledged the progress Nigerian women have made in leadership, highlighting individuals like Zuriel Oduwole, who advocates for peace.
