Victor EzejaFollowing her suspension from the Nigerian Senate, Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has formally reported Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to seek international intervention.
Speaking to representatives at an IPU meeting on Tuesday at the UN headquarters in New York, Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan stated that she submitted a petition, accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, but instead of being given a fair hearing, she was suspended for six months with all her privileges as a senator including salaries, personal security, and vehicle among others, denied.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Senate had after reviewing a report from the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which was delivered by its Chairman, Neda Imasuen, suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, effective 6 March.
“I was suspended illegally because I submitted a petition of sexual harassment against the president of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio,” Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan stated.
“I thought that by submitting the petition he would recuse himself, and both of us will submit ourselves to the committee on ethics, privileges and public petition for a fair and transparent investigation. But unfortunately, I was silenced and I was suspended.”
The Kogi senator spoke passionately about her experience since the suspension during the IPU meeting.
She claimed that her struggle was not only about herself but also about Nigerian women in politics who are still routinely harassed and marginalised. She said women make 3.6 per cent of political offices and in the Senate, it is just 2.8 per cent.
She said her ordeal depicts the crisis of women in political representation.
“My suspension is not just about me; it’s about the systemic ex/lusion of women from political leadership. In Nigeria, women make up 3.6% of political offices, and in the Senate is just 2.8 per cent We have 109 senators, and only four of us are women. So right now, it’s only 108 with only three women. This is a clear case of political victimization, punishment for speaking out against impunity, corruption and gender-based violence.”
The international organisation of national parliaments, known as the Inter-Parliamentary Union, uses parliamentary diplomacy and communication to advance democracy, peace, and sustainable development.
READ ALSO: 5 Facts About Natasha Akpoti’s Suspension You Need To Know
IPU Presdient Responds
In response, IPU President, Tulia Ackson, said the global parliamentary union has noted the issues raised by Akpoti-Uduaghan and would investigate the matter.
The IPU president further said the body would listen to both sides of the issue before taking any necessary steps.
“I would like to say we have heard her concerns, and having heard her, it would have been an opportunity for all of us to understand more about what she has said,” the IPU president stated.
“But because we listened only on her side, as an institution as IPU, we will be taking the concerns that have been raised, not only taking her side, but also giving a chance to listen to the other side, as it is a custom for IPU.
“After having listened to the other side, we will take steps as necessary. So I thought it was necessary for us to say a word about it and then be able to take it further.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s full Speech at IPU
“I come with a heavy heart from Nigeria, but first I would like to apologize to honorable Kafilat Ogbara, I am not here to bring shame to our country. I’m here to seek help for the women of Nigeria.
“Again, my name is Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Five days ago, on the 6th of March 2025, I was suspended as a senator. I was suspended illegally because I submitted a petition of sexual harassment against the president of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
“I thought that by submitting the petition, he would recuse himself, and both of us will submit ourselves to the committee on ethics privileges and public petition for a fair and transparent investigation. But unfortunately, I was silenced and I was suspended. I was suspended for six months, amongst many other stringent conditions, such as taking away my security, taking away all the officials, vehicles, and other items that were handed over to me as a senator, my salaries will be cut off. I must not appear anywhere near the National Assembly, and for six months, I’m not to introduce myself or present myself as a senator locally in Nigeria or internationally. That means I’m here illegally, but I had no other place to go but to come here and speak to you women, because this is a bigger picture.
“It depicts the crisis of women in political representation. My suspension is not just about me; it’s about the systemic exclusion of women from political leadership. In Nigeria, women make up 3.6 per cent of political offices, and in the Senate, it is just 2.8 per cent. We have 109 senators, and only four of us are women. So right now it’s 108 with only three women. This is a clear case of political victimization, punishment for speaking out against impunity, corruption and gender-based violence.
“The United Nations Declaration Article 48, 104 declares sexual harassment as a form of gender violence, the Senate actions and assault on democracy. I was elected by my constituents to represent them. Yet a few powerful men have unilaterally decided to silence their voices by suspending me for six months, my call for an open and transparent investigation into harassment allegations has been met with hostility instead of accountability.
“If a female Senator can be treated this way in the full view of the world, imagine what ordinary Nigerian women will go through every day in workplaces, in universities and other aspects of our society, a culture of harassment and silencing must end, and this is not just a Nigerian issue, it’s a global one. Women in politics, media and businesses face threats, intimidation and violence for simply demanding fairness. From sex-for-grades scandals in universities to harassment in workplaces, and political spaces, Nigerian women have constantly been forced into silence.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
