The controversy surrounding the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has escalated, with heated exchanges between her and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The crisis, which has sparked nationwide debate, stems from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio, which she claims led to her suspension.
Akpabio, speaking at an International Women’s Day event, dismissed the allegations as baseless, accusing Akpoti-Uduaghan of making unfounded claims for personal gain. He argued that the senator had previously made similar unproven accusations against others and that her current claims surfaced only after her Senate committee and seat were reassigned.
“Have you ever wondered about the trauma caused by that same woman on the other people she has accused in the past? None has been proved so far,” Akpabio stated.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan, through her lawyer Victor Giwa, fired back, insisting that Akpabio should submit to an investigation. She cited previous allegations against him, including one made by former Niger Delta Development Commission MD, Joy Nunieh.
“If Akpabio makes such a statement, the question anybody will ask is why are there two allegations of sexual harassment against him?” Giwa said, accusing the Senate President of using his position to suppress dissent.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele refuted claims that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was linked to the harassment allegations. Instead, he asserted that she was suspended for violating Senate rules, including refusing to sit in her assigned seat and disrupting plenary proceedings.
“The disciplinary action was a response to her repeated violations of legislative decorum,” Bamidele explained.
Despite the Senate’s justification, several rights groups and activists, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria Funmi Falana, condemned the decision, calling it a “disgraceful display of power.” Falana threatened legal action against senators who are lawyers if the suspension was not lifted.
In response to the controversy, the House of Representatives is considering a bill to regulate the suspension of lawmakers. Sponsored by Mansur Soro, the proposed legislation seeks to prevent arbitrary suspensions and ensure lawmakers cannot be removed from legislative duties without broad approval.
“The people of Kogi Central Senatorial District should not be punished for the fight of two senators. Their voice and representation should be restored,” Soro said, urging the Senate to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan.
As tensions mount, the crisis highlights broader concerns about legislative accountability, gender rights, and the independence of Nigeria’s parliamentary institutions.
