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The Nigerian Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, for six months following a series of events that have sparked national debate. The suspension, announced during a plenary session on March 6, 2025, comes in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment made by the senator against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously raised the allegations on the Senate floor and during a televised interview, where she accused the Senate President of inappropriate conduct. She also submitted a formal petition to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, urging an investigation into the matter. The allegations were met with mixed reactions, with some calling for a thorough inquiry and others questioning the timing and intent of the claims.

The suspension was recommended by the ethics committee, which cited Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s alleged breach of legislative protocols, including her public statements and defiance of Senate rules regarding her seating arrangement. As part of the suspension, her office will be locked, her salary and allowances withheld, and her security details withdrawn. She is also barred from accessing the National Assembly premises during the suspension period.

Reacting to the suspension, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan described the decision as unjust and a violation of natural justice, fairness, and equity. In her statement, she said, “Against the culture of silence, intimidation, and victim-shaming; my unjust suspension from the Nigerian Senate invalidates the principles of natural justice, fairness, and equity. The illegal suspension does not withdraw my legitimacy as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and I will continue to use my duly elected position to serve my constituents and country to the best of my ability till 2027 … and beyond.”

The suspension has ignited a broader conversation about the treatment of women in politics and the challenges they face in speaking out against misconduct. Legal experts and advocacy groups have called for an independent investigation into the allegations, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability within the legislative body.

As the controversy unfolds, the case is expected to test the limits of legislative discipline and the protection of individual rights in Nigeria’s political landscape.

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