The Nigerian Senate has refuted claims by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who alleged that she was suspended for accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of s3xual harassment.
Natasha, representing Kogi Central, raised the issue at the United Nations Inter-Parliamentary Conference in New York on March 11, calling for international intervention.
In a letter signed by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate dismissed her claim. The letter was read by the Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Honorable Kafilat Ogbara, who is attending the event in an official capacity representing Nigeria.
Senate’s Response read in part;
“Senator Natasha-Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behaviour and not as a result of allegation of s3xu@l harassment or ass@ult. The authority of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria firmly refutes the deliberate misinformation and false narrative being circulated by certain media organisations regarding the sixth months suspension of Senator Natsaha-Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Let it be unequivocally stated that Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent act of misconduct and disregard for the Senate Standing Orders.” the letter read.
Ogbara, however, called for a thorough investigation into the allegation by Senator Natasha against the Senator President, Godswill Akpabio. She maintained that procedures and necessary actions under the Senate rules were observed before Senator Natasha’s suspension.
Last week, the Senate suspended the lawmaker in a move that has continued to generate debates across the country.
She had initially submitted a petition to the Senate accusing Akpabio of s3xual harassment. But the lawmakers threw it out before suspending her even after submitting another petition.
Senator Natasha vowed to continue the fight against “injustice”. But in the wake of the suspension, Akpabio denied the accusations and maintained he has never assaulted women.
Her altercation with the Senate president started on February 20, 2025, after her seat was changed during plenary.
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