Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken her battle against the Nigerian Senate to the international stage, calling on the United Nations and global human rights organizations to intervene.
Speaking at the Women in Parliament session during the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, she decried what she described as political victimization, intimidation, and gender-based violence orchestrated by the Senate leadership.
Background of the Dispute
Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, was suspended by the Senate on March 6, following a heated exchange with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The confrontation stemmed from a new seating arrangement that she claimed was intentionally designed to undermine her position in the legislative chamber.
The situation escalated further when Akpoti-Uduaghan, during a television interview, accused Akpabio of punishing her for rejecting his alleged sexual advances. The allegations sparked a storm of controversy, leading to her suspension by the Senate’s Ethics and Privileges Committee, which was chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen.
Natasha’s Appeal to the International Community
Addressing the global audience at the UN, Akpoti-Uduaghan called for accountability and intervention from international democratic institutions to safeguard women’s rights and political participation in Nigeria.
“My call to the international community is that the world must not stay silent as democracy and women’s rights are rolled back in Nigeria. I call on human rights organizations, women’s movements, and democratic institutions to hold the Nigerian Senate accountable.
Nigeria needs global partners to push for women’s political inclusion, safety, and protection from political harassment,” she declared.
She emphasized that her suspension was unconstitutional, stating that it was a direct attempt by powerful figures in the Senate to silence her for speaking out against corruption and gender-based violence.
“The United Nations Declaration defines sexual harassment as a form of gender violence. The Senate’s action is an assault on democracy. I was elected by my constituents to represent them, but powerful men have unilaterally silenced their voices by suspending me for six months,” she asserted.
Refusal to Apologize
Despite pressure from some of her colleagues to retract her statements and apologize, Akpoti-Uduaghan vowed to stand her ground.
“This is a clear case of political victimization for speaking against corruption and gender-based violence. I will resist political intimidation.
Several male colleagues have urged me to apologize, but I told them I would not apologize for my truth.
I will serve the six-month suspension, and on the very first day of my return, I will re-present my petition on sexual harassment. I will continue to do so until there is a fair and transparent investigation,” she declared.
She further pledged to work closely with women’s rights organizations, civil society groups, and legal experts to ensure that no other woman in public office faces similar treatment in the future.
Labour Party Supporters Protest
Back home in Nigeria, the controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension has ignited protests. Labour Party (LP) supporters staged a demonstration in Abuja on Tuesday, calling for her immediate reinstatement and condemning the Senate’s actions.
Led by LP National Youth Leader, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, the protesters also demanded sanctions against LP legislators who failed to defend Akpoti-Uduaghan and criticized Senator Neda Imasuen for allegedly aiding her suspension.
“The 10th Senate should immediately rescind Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension and reconstitute a morally and mentally balanced committee to conduct a proper investigation.
Senator Neda Imasuen must be recused from the new committee. We also urge the people of Edo South to initiate a recall process against Senator Imasuen for his poor representation and conduct**,” Ahanotu stated.
He added, “We, the Nigerian youths, strongly condemn the actions of the Ethics and Privileges Committee led by Neda Imasuen, which violated a court order. The hasty decision to suspend Natasha, along with Imasuen’s actions, has shocked many.”
Senate’s Justification and Response
Senator Neda Imasuen, who chaired the committee that recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, defended the decision, stating that her petition against Akpabio was “dead on arrival” due to a breach of Senate Standing Order 40.
He insisted that due process was followed and dismissed accusations of bias.
Meanwhile, the Senate leadership has remained largely silent on the growing international attention the case has garnered. Senate President Akpabio has not issued any formal response to the allegations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan at the UN.
Calls for Presidential Intervention
Amid the ongoing controversy, LP supporters and women’s rights groups have called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene.
“President Tinubu must speak out against the mistreatment of women in Nigerian politics. His wife, as a serving senator in the 9th Assembly, faced similar challenges. This silence emboldens those who seek to suppress women in leadership positions,” Ahanotu added.
As the international community takes note of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case, the pressure on the Nigerian Senate to address gender equity and political harassment continues to mount.
Whether her call for justice will lead to tangible changes remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—her fight has transcended national borders and is now a global conversation on democracy, gender rights, and political inclusion in Nigeria.
