The Federal Government has pledged to intervene in the escalating leadership crisis within the National Assembly following the controversial six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.
Iman Suleiman-Ibrahim, Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, made this announcement on Friday, expressing the government’s commitment to resolving the issue. “We’re engaging all the stakeholders to ensure that they temper justice with mercy,” Suleiman-Ibrahim told State House correspondents during a Meet-the-Press Programme in Abuja.
The suspension of Natasha came after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment in a petition submitted on February 28, 2025. However, the Senate dismissed her allegations on procedural grounds and referred the matter to the ethics committee, which subsequently recommended her suspension for allegedly bringing ridicule to the Senate.
In her response, Suleiman-Ibrahim called the incident “unfortunate” and emphasized the need to safeguard the representation of women in the Senate, citing the nine women senators in the previous Assembly. “We don’t want to lose any woman member in the Senate or decrease in number,” she added. The Minister affirmed that the Senate President was open to dialogue and that her office would mediate to ensure peace between the parties involved.
However, the suspension has sparked outrage from several women groups, who argue that the move is an assault on democracy and a deliberate attempt to silence women in leadership. The Coalition for Women in Governance and Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ) have condemned the decision, warning that they will mobilize for a large-scale protest if the suspension is not reversed.
Zainab Mohammed, a leader of the coalition, criticized the Senate’s action, noting that it violated a court order halting any disciplinary actions against Natasha. “The Senate’s decision is not just an injustice against one woman; it is an attack on the democratic rights of the people she represents,” Mohammed stated. She further emphasized that the Senate’s move sent a dangerous message to Nigerians, challenging those in power.
WIMBIZ, which expressed concern about the incident, highlighted the lack of a fair hearing for Natasha, as no public investigation has been conducted into the harassment allegations. The group also called for urgent action, stressing that the case underscores the broader challenges women face in leadership roles in Nigeria.
In a show of support for Natasha, over 13,000 individuals have signed a petition on Change.org calling for Senate President Akpabio’s resignation while demanding a fair and transparent investigation into the sexual harassment claims. The petition, initiated by the Purple Women Foundation led by Ireti Bakare-Yusuf, has gained significant traction, with supporters urging the Senate President to step down to ensure an unbiased investigation.
“Immediate stepping down of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, transparent and impartial investigation, and justice for survivors of sexual harassment,” the petition reads.
Meanwhile, the Senate President’s kinsmen, under the Afe Annang socio-cultural organization in Akwa Ibom State, have called for the recall of Natasha by her constituents. Speaking during a media interaction, His Majesty Obong Blaise Awakama, the leader of the group, argued that the six-month suspension was insufficient. The group condemned Natasha’s behavior, suggesting that she should be replaced by a more suitable representative.
“We are not satisfied with only suspension; I think she should be recalled by her constituents and advised properly,” Obong Awakama said, adding that no senator should use such claims to undermine the integrity of the Senate.
As the controversy continues to unfold, all eyes are on the Federal Government’s intervention, which could play a pivotal role in resolving the crisis within the Senate and the broader political landscape.
