..this injustice will not be sustained, says Senator Natasha
In a controversial decision, the Nigerian Senate has imposed a six-month suspension on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, effective immediately, due to allegations of serious misconduct and breaches of Senate regulations.
The suspension follows a tense incident during a plenary session on February 20, 2025, where Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan objected to the sudden reassignment of her seat. She accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sidelining her and trying to suppress her voice.
The conflict escalated when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan accused President Akpabio of sexual harassment and abusing his position, claiming that his retaliatory actions were a result of her rejecting his advances.
However, these allegations were dismissed by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which recommended her suspension.
The committee’s report, presented by its chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, stated that the suspension is effective as of today, March 6, 2025.
The Senate accepted the committee’s recommendations, leading to the following penalties:
– Closure of her office and restrictions on access: Her office will be locked, and she will not be allowed to enter the National Assembly during her suspension.
– Withdrawal of salaries and security: Her pay and allowances will be halted, although her aides will continue to receive their salaries, and her security detail will be removed for the duration of the suspension.
– Media and Representation Ban: She is barred from representing Nigeria in any official capacity and from interacting with national or local media as a senator during this time.
The Senate noted that the suspension could be lifted or shortened if Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan provides a written apology.
However, she was not given a chance to speak before the vote, prompting her to state, “This injustice will not be sustained,” as she was escorted out by the Sergeant-at-Arms.
This incident has ignited discussions regarding the internal dynamics of the Senate, the management of misconduct allegations, and the broader implications for legislative accountability and gender relations in Nigeria’s political arena.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension represents a pivotal moment in the Nigerian Senate, raising concerns about the balance between enforcing institutional discipline and ensuring fair treatment of its members.
