NEW YORK, USA — Nigerian Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has reported Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), alleging political victimisation following her suspension from the Nigerian Senate.
Speaking at the IPU meeting at the United Nations headquarters on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of making sexual advances toward her and claimed that her suspension was an act of retaliation.
“I come with a heavy heart from Nigeria. But first, I will like to apologise to Hon. Kafilat Ogbara. I am not here to bring shame to our country, I am here to seek help for the women of Nigeria,” she said during the assembly.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension on March 6 followed a dispute over seating arrangements in the Senate chamber.
She contends that her removal was unlawful and part of a broader effort to exclude women from Nigerian political leadership.
“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,” she stated.
“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.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan further detailed the restrictions imposed on her following the suspension, stating that she was barred from appearing near the National Assembly, and that her salary and official privileges had been revoked.
“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,” she said.
She described her suspension as emblematic of a larger issue of gender discrimination and suppression of dissent in Nigeria.
“This is a clear case of political victimisation, punishment for speaking out against impunity, corruption, and gender-based violence,” she said.
The controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension has drawn reactions from political observers and women’s rights advocates, who argue that the case underscores systemic barriers facing women in Nigerian politics.
It remains to be seen whether the IPU or other international bodies will take action in response to her complaint.
