The Nigerian Senate has responded to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s complaint to the United Nations Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), firmly denying allegations of injustice in her six-month suspension.
In a letter signed by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and read by Honorable Kafilat Ogbara, Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, the Senate maintained that Natasha’s suspension was due to “gross misconduct and unruly behavior” rather than allegations of sexual harassment or assault.
“The authority of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria firmly refutes the deliberate misinformation and false narrative being circulated by certain media organizations,” the statement read, emphasizing that all due procedures were followed in enforcing the disciplinary action.
The controversy between Senator Natasha and Senate President Godswill Akpabio escalated on February 20, 2025, when her seat was changed during plenary. This was not the first altercation between the two lawmakers. In July 2024, Akpabio had reprimanded her over alleged misconduct, controversially remarking that the Senate is “not a nightclub where anybody can talk anyhow.” He later apologized for the statement.
Senator Natasha has vowed to continue her fight against what she describes as “injustice,” while Akpabio has strongly denied all accusations against him. The Senate has called for a thorough investigation into the claims she raised.
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