Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Takes Senate Battle to UN
Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, escalated her dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio by presenting her case at a United Nations forum on Tuesday.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended on March 6 following a confrontation with Akpabio over a Senate seating arrangement, has accused the Senate leadership of victimization. The controversy deepened after she alleged on national television that her suspension was retaliation for rejecting Akpabio’s alleged sexual advances.
Speaking at the Women in Parliament session during the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting at the UN in New York, she called for global intervention, urging human rights organizations and democratic institutions to hold the Nigerian Senate accountable.
“The world must not remain silent while democracy and women’s rights are being suppressed in Nigeria. I call on global partners to support women’s political inclusion, safety, and protection from political harassment,” she stated.
Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted that her suspension was unlawful and vowed to continue her fight against what she described as an attempt to silence her. “This is political victimization for speaking against corruption and gender-based violence,” she said, adding that she would reintroduce her petition on sexual harassment upon her return to the Senate.
She also announced plans to collaborate with women’s groups, civil society organizations, and legal teams to challenge her suspension, asserting, “No other woman in public office should be silenced again.”
Labour Party Supporters Protest Suspension
In response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, Labour Party (LP) supporters staged a protest in Abuja on Tuesday. Led by LP National Youth Leader Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, the demonstrators also filed a petition against LP legislators and Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions.
Imasuen’s committee recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension after dismissing her sexual harassment petition against Akpabio. According to Imasuen, the petition violated Senate Standing Order 40 and was “dead on arrival.”
Addressing the press, Ahanotu condemned the suspension and accused opposition lawmakers of failing to defend their colleague. He called on the Senate to reverse its decision, stating, “The 10th Senate must immediately reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and form a new, impartial committee to investigate her claims.”
Ahanotu also criticized Senator Imasuen’s role in the matter and urged the people of Edo South to initiate a recall process against him for what he described as poor representation. He further called on President Bola Tinubu to address gender-based discrimination in Nigerian politics.
“Nigerian youths demand that Senate President Godswill Akpabio submit himself for investigation by an impartial body,” he added.
Arewa Group Rejects Recall Demand
Meanwhile, the Arewa Revival Project has distanced itself from a 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Arewa Youth Assembly for Good Leadership (AYAGL), which had threatened mass protests if Akpoti-Uduaghan was not reinstated.
The AYAGL had accused Akpabio of targeting northern politicians and warned of a shutdown in northern states. However, in a statement on Tuesday, Arewa Revival Project Coordinator Muttaka Ahmed Ibrahim criticized the ultimatum as “counterproductive to national peace and stability.”
He urged that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension be addressed through legal frameworks rather than protests. “While concerns about fairness and justice are valid, they should be resolved through dialogue and due process,” he said.
NANS Calls for Order in Senate
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged lawmakers to maintain decorum and end political disputes that disrupt legislative activities.
During a solidarity march at the National Assembly, NANS Financial Secretary Jeremiah Friday lamented that the Senate had become a battleground for personal conflicts rather than policy discussions.
He also criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s handling of the situation, stating, “Exploiting misunderstandings of Senate rules for personal gain undermines institutional integrity.”
Lawan Denies Supporting Akpoti-Uduaghan
Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan has dismissed claims that he backed Akpoti-Uduaghan in her dispute with Akpabio.
In a statement on Tuesday, Lawan’s media adviser, Ezrel Tabiowo, clarified that his intervention was strictly procedural. “At no point did Senator Lawan take sides in the allegations against Akpabio. His remarks were aimed at upholding due process and the integrity of the National Assembly,” the statement read.
As tensions continue, Akpoti-Uduaghan remains defiant, pledging to fight her suspension and push for a full investigation into her claims.