The controversy surrounding the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and her allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio has taken an international dimension.
The Kogi lawmaker, who was suspended last week for allegedly violating Senate rules, has now escalated her case to a global audience. This follows her submission of a petition against Akpabio, accusing him of sexual harassment and other misconduct—claims the Senate President has firmly denied.
Senator Natasha Seeks Justice at UN Inter-Parliamentary Union
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 global democratic institutions.
“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 stated.
The Kogi Central Senator described her suspension as an attack on women’s political representation in Nigeria, emphasizing that her case symbolizes the systemic exclusion of women from leadership roles.
“That means I’m here illegally, but I have no other place to go but to come here and speak to you because this is a bigger picture. 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 exclusion of women from political leadership in Nigeria,” she added.
Security Concerns After Global Speech
Following her address, Senator Natasha expressed fears for her safety, alleging that powerful individuals in Nigeria might attempt to detain her in New York for speaking out on the issue at the global forum.
Her suspension, which has sparked intense national debate, came after she submitted a petition against Akpabio, accusing him of sexual harassment. The Senate dismissed her petition before suspending her, despite her efforts to resubmit it.
Akpabio Denies Allegations Amid Senate Dispute
Despite Natasha’s accusations, Senate President Akpabio has categorically denied all claims, maintaining that he has never engaged in any form of sexual harassment.
The friction between both lawmakers dates back to February 20, 2025, when Senator Natasha’s seat was changed during plenary. Their earlier disputes also include a July 2024 incident where Akpabio rebuked her for alleged misconduct, stating that the Senate was not a nightclub— a remark for which he later apologized.
Senator Natasha has vowed to continue her fight against what she describes as injustice, while Akpabio remains firm in his denial of all allegations.
Growing Political Fallout
The unfolding drama has intensified discussions on gender representation, political accountability, and the treatment of female lawmakers in Nigeria’s legislative body. As the case gains global attention, it remains to be seen what impact international pressure will have on the situation.
