Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has amplified her dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday by presenting her case at a United Nations forum.
Recall that Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 after a tense confrontation with Akpabio over a new Senate seating arrangement, which she believed was done to shame her.
Tensions escalated when Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Arise TV , accused Akpabio of punishing her for shunning his alleged sexual advances.
Speaking at the Women in Parliament session during the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting at the United Nations in New York, Akpoti-Uduaghan called for international intervention to hold the Nigerian Senate accountable.
She noted that she was facing political oppression and intimidation for seeking an open and transparent probe into her sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio.
“My call to the international community is that the world must not stay silent as democracy and women’s rights are rolled back in Nigeria. I call on human rights organisations, women’s movements, and democratic institutions to hold the Nigerian Senate accountable. Nigeria needs global partners to push for women’s political inclusion, safety, and protection from political harassment,” she stated.
She described her suspension as illegal and vowed to continue her fight against what she said was injustice upon her return. She also refused to apologise, describing the situation as an attempt by powerful men to silence her.
“This is a clear case of political victimisation for speaking against corruption and gender-based violence. The United Nations Declaration defines sexual harassment as a form of gender violence. The Senate’s action is an assault on democracy. I was elected by my constituents to represent them, but powerful men have unilaterally silenced their voices by suspending me for six months,” she said.
She further stated, “I will resist political intimidation. In the past few days, several male colleagues have urged me to apologise and retract my statements, but I told them I would not apologise for my truth. I will serve the six-month suspension, and on the very first day of my return, I will re-present my petition on sexual harassment. I will continue to do so until there is a fair and transparent investigation.”
“This is bigger than me. No other woman in public office should ever be silenced again,” she declared.
In a related development, some Labour Party supporters staged a protest in Abuja on Tuesday against Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
Led by LP National Youth Leader Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, the group also filed a petition demanding strict sanctions against LP legislators and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuen, for his role in the matter.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was handed a six-month suspension following a recommendation by Imasuen’s committee after her sexual harassment petition against Akpabio was dismissed at a Senate probe hearing.
Imasuen, the Edo South Senator, stated that the petition was “dead on arrival” due to a breach of Order 40 of the Senate Standing Order.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Ahanotu derided the suspension, lambasting opposition lawmakers for failing to defend Akpoti-Uduaghan. He called on the Senate leadership to reconsider its decision.
“We, the Nigerian youths, strongly condemn the actions of the Ethics and Privileges Committee led by Neda Imasuen, which violated a court order. The hasty decision to suspend Natasha, along with Imasuen’s actions, has shocked many,” Ahanotu stated.
He sought the following demands: “The 10th Senate should immediately rescind Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension and reconstitute a morally and mentally balanced committee to conduct a proper investigation. Senator Neda Imasuen must be recused from the new committee. We also urge the people of Edo South to initiate a recall process against Senator Imasuen for his poor representation and conduct.”
“At no point did Senator Lawan defend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan or take sides in the allegations against Senate President Akpabio. His intervention was purely a matter of principle, reflecting his commitment to due process and the rule of law,” the statement read.
“His remarks were strictly procedural and aimed at upholding the integrity of the National Assembly.”
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