ABUJA, April 2, 2025. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only four women in the Nigerian Senate, was suspended on March 6, 2025, for alleged misconduct and breach of Senate rules. The six-month suspension deprives her of all privileges, including security and representation of her Kogi Central constituency.
The suspension followed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s presentation of a petition accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment. The Ethics and House Privileges Committee initially dismissed the petition, citing procedural issues and declaring it “dead on arrival.”
Since her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan has garnered both support and opposition. Rallies and civil society engagements have called for her reinstatement and a fair hearing. The Independent National Electoral Commission rejected a recall petition by purported constituents for lacking merit. Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken her case to international platforms, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union and media outlets like the BBC.
Just yesterday, Akpoti-Uduaghan defied a government ban on rallies by arriving in Kogi Central via helicopter and being greeted by enthusiastic supporters. Her constituents defied government restrictions and gathered at her compound, demonstrating grassroots support for her dedication to improving their lives through impactful projects. She was recently recognized as This Day’s Most Performing Senator of 2024.
At the homecoming, Akpoti-Uduaghan made serious allegations about threats to her life by past and present governors of Kogi State and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Her resilience has made her an example, encouraging other women to speak out against institutional obstacles that hinder women’s progress.
Nigeria lags behind other African nations’ female representation, with only four female senators. The political climate in Nigeria is defined by masculinity and a culture of silence, especially on sensitive issues around sexual assault, which remains stigmatized within Nigeria, especially for victims with minimal reporting rates as a result. Since her sexual harassment claims, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been met with smears to her character, especially by Senator Nwanbonyi, the chief whip. A hearing session on the matter followed weeks of pressure and visibility. It led to a bout of insults by the same chief whip against the esteemed Dr Oby Ezekwesili, former Vice president of the World Bank-Africa, sitting as a witness to the petitioner. The world watched the public assault and intimidation techniques aimed at silencing and ultimately preventing a fair tribunal.
In comparison, Sierra Leone recently passed a progressive gender-related law mandating a 35 percent quota for women in parliament. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s defiance is a victory for Nigeria and Africa, positioning her as a significant figure challenging conventional norms, particularly in a male-dominated arena. The low representation of women in the Nigerian senate underscores women’s challenges in gaining political power in Nigeria.
