The controversy surrounding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from the Nigerian Senate continues to unfold as she takes her case to the global stage.
Last week, the Senate suspended the Kogi lawmaker, citing violations of its rules. However, the suspension came just days after she submitted a petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of sexual harassment and other misconduct—allegations Akpabio has firmly denied.
Speaking at the Women in Parliament session during the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Meeting at the United Nations in New York, Senator Natasha called for justice and the intervention of international democratic institutions. She condemned her suspension, describing it as illegal and a deliberate attempt to silence her.
“I was suspended illegally because I submitted a petition for 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 would submit ourselves to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition for a fair, transparent investigation. But unfortunately, I was silenced and suspended,” she told the gathering.
The senator further emphasized that her suspension highlights a broader issue—the systemic exclusion of women from political leadership in Nigeria.
“This is a bigger picture. It depicts the crisis of women’s political representation. My suspension is not just about me; it’s about the systemic barriers that continue to hinder women’s participation in governance,” she added.
Her appeal to the global democratic community signals an escalation of the dispute, raising concerns about gender representation and fairness in Nigeria’s political landscape.
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