Akpabio vs Natasha: Senate’s Defense
The Nigerian Senate has taken its defense to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), countering Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims that she was suspended for speaking out about alleged sexual harassment by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Instead, the Senate insists her suspension was a matter of gross misconduct, setting the stage for a high-stakes political and ethical debate.
Senate’s Position: Due Process or Damage Control?
In a statement before the IPU, House Committee Chairperson on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, refuted Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims. Ogbara maintained that the Nigerian Senate remains committed to justice, due process, and the protection of fundamental human rights, particularly in cases of sexual harassment and gender-based violence.
> “Such allegations demand a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation,” Ogbara stated. “At the same time, we must ensure fairness for all individuals involved and that justice is not predetermined nor one-sided.”
However, Ogbara made it clear that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was strictly for misconduct and not related to sexual harassment allegations. The Senate insists that its disciplinary actions were justified under Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended) and were necessary to maintain order and institutional integrity.
The Senate further outlined specific incidents leading to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, including:
- Refusal to sit in her assigned seat during plenary on February 25, 2025.
- Speaking without being recognized by the presiding officer, violating parliamentary procedures.
- Disrupting Senate proceedings through disorderly conduct.
- Making disrespectful remarks against the Senate leadership.
- Ignoring summons by the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
> “No senator, regardless of status, gender, or political affiliation, is above the rules of the Senate,” Ogbara emphasized.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Allegations: Silencing a Whistleblower?
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s earlier statements before the IPU and United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) painted a different picture. According to her, the Senate wielded suspension as a weapon to punish her for challenging alleged sexual harassment and misogyny at the highest level of Nigeria’s legislative arm.
Her supporters argue that the Senate’s swift disciplinary action—without addressing her allegations—raises red flags about the handling of women’s rights and workplace harassment claims in Nigerian politics.
A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), women groups, and concerned citizens of Edo State took to the streets in protest, demanding an independent investigation into the allegations. The protesters decried what they called “misogynistic behavior” within the 10th National Assembly and condemned the six-month suspension imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Reading from a petition addressed to the Edo State House of Assembly, Grace Ese Obakina, representing the protesting groups, stated:
> “Instead of addressing these serious allegations fairly and transparently, the Senate unexpectedly suspended her for six months under the guise of breaching Senate rules and ethics. This action appears to be a blatant attempt to silence and dismiss the allegations without due process.”
The groups are demanding a neutral and independent investigation into the claims, ensuring fairness and accountability rather than a politically driven outcome.
PANDEF & Niger Delta Elders Stand by Akpabio
Amid the storm, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has thrown its weight behind Senate President Akpabio, dismissing the allegations as sponsored attacks aimed at distracting him. Speaking at a dinner organized in his honor, PANDEF Chairman Godknows Igali reassured Akpabio of the Niger Delta’s unwavering support.
> “Forget about the sponsored news making the rounds. Rest assured that we are strongly behind you,” Igali stated.
Akpabio, in response, vowed to continue supporting the Tinubu-led administration and focus on governance rather than political distractions.
A Battle of Narratives: Political Retribution or Genuine Misconduct?
The Akpabio vs. Natasha saga underscores a larger issue within Nigeria’s political space: Are institutions truly committed to gender equality and justice, or are allegations of harassment and discrimination still swept under the rug when they threaten powerful figures?
While the Senate vehemently denies any wrongdoing, the optics of the situation—suspending a female senator shortly after she raised serious allegations—fuel skepticism. The calls for an independent inquiry into the case will determine whether this is a case of genuine misconduct or a textbook example of silencing a whistleblower.
For now, the international spotlight remains fixed on the Nigerian Senate, and how it handles this controversy could have far-reaching implications for women’s rights and political accountability in Nigeria.
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