NIGERIA – The six months suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following her allegations against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has drawn debates on gender, power, and political fairness in Nigeria.
Though the Senate had said her suspension was not related to her fight with Akpabio but due to her alleged incessant violation of the senate rules, many Nigerians, particularly those from the north have continued to raise concerns on the place of women in Nigerian politics.
While some view the current development as a reflection of the challenges female politicians face, others see it as a political dispute with broader implications for the Senate’s integrity.
On March 6, 2025, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing violations of legislative decorum.
The Senate’s ethics committee reported that she engaged in unruly behavior, made disrespectful remarks against Senate leadership, and defied committee summonses.
Specifically, she was accused of refusing to sit in her assigned seat, speaking without recognition, and making abusive comments. These actions were deemed violations of Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended).
Akpoti-Uduaghan, prior to her suspension, submitted a petition accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment, abuse of office, and obstruction of legislative functions.
However, the Senate’s ethics committee dismissed her petition, citing procedural rule violations.
Also, Akpabio publicly denied the allegations, stating that he had never harassed Akpoti-Uduaghan or any female senator.
Shortly after this, the Senate announced Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension, leading to speculation that it was a retaliatory move to silence her.
Reacting to the allegations of bias on Saturday, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele issued a statement insisting that Akpoti-Uduaghan was not suspended because of her petition but for her consistent misconduct and blatant disregard for Senate rules.
He urged the public and the media to disregard false narratives suggesting that the suspension was linked to her petition against Akpabio.
He emphasized that the decision was necessary to restore order and maintain the integrity of the Senate.
The timing of her suspension, coming shortly after her sexual harassment petition, has led to widespread public skepticism.
Many Nigerians, including opposition politicians and activists, believe the action was politically motivated and aimed at silencing her.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the suspension, describing it as suppression.
Atiku argued that the decision undermined the principles of fairness, representation, and gender inclusivity.
“Women should be empowered to fully participate in governance, not stifled,” he stated.
Also, organisations such as the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) criticised the Senate’s decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, calling it an unconstitutional move that undermines democracy and legislative independence.
The criticism continued with organisation like the Coalition for Women in Governance and the Women in Management, Business, and Public Service who threatened to mobilise women for a massive protest if the decision was not reversed.
This prompted a response from the Federal Government on Friday, stating its intention to intervene in the crisis.
Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Iman Suleiman-Ibrahim, described the situation as unfortunate, emphasizing the need to protect female representation in the Senate.
“In the last Assembly, we had nine female senators. We don’t want to see a decline in that number,” she said.
“We will work towards resolving this issue peacefully by engaging all stakeholders and urging them to temper justice with mercy.”
However, harassment allegations in the Nigerian Senate are not new. One of the most controversial incidents occurred in July 2016, during a closed-door session of the Senate, when a heated exchange ensued between Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Reports indicated that Melaye, who was representing Kogi West at the time, allegedly threatened to assault and impregnate Tinubu, who was then representing Lagos Central.
According to multiple sources, Melaye was quoted as saying he would “beat up” and “impregnate” her, remarks that were widely condemned as sexist and inappropriate.
Tinubu, who is now Nigeria’s First Lady, accused Melaye of making threatening and demeaning comments toward her. She described the incident as an act of verbal assault and intimidation, claiming that Melaye even attempted to physically attack her during the altercation.
Melaye, however, denied the allegations, insisting that he never physically assaulted Tinubu.
By Damilola Adeleke| March 10, 2025
Adeleke Damilola (ACTION) is a versatile content writer with expertise in news writing and a seasoned media professional and broadcast specialist. Currently serving as News Editor for DNews Info, Damilola is also the CEO of the ACTION brand, committed to shaping lives and establishing a legacy of excellence for present and future generations.
