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Nigerian Senate "Like a Cult" – Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Speaks Out on Sexual Harassment and Suspension

March 17, 2025

Nigerian Senate "Like a Cult" – Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Speaks Out on Sexual Harassment and Suspension

Nigerian Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has made damning allegations against the Senate, calling it "a cult" where dissenting voices are silenced. She also accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, which he has forcefully denied.

The uproar has met with national and international responses, with organizations for women's rights rallying around her, since the Senate argues that her suspension was due to misconduct and not due to the sexual harassment allegations.

Addressing an interview with BBC News, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only four female members in Nigeria's 109-member Senate, alleged to have been the victim of sexual harassment by the Senate President.

The Senate, according to her, is a place where offering contrary opinions invites retaliation, in that she declared female senators to often face intimidation and exclusion.

These allegations have renewed the controversy on the treatment of women in politics in Nigeria, an area where female representation is seriously low.

Akpoti-Uduaghan's Suspension Provokes Outrage

Soon after she had made these allegations, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months. The Senate's Ethics and Privileges Committee informs that her suspension was for:

  • Refusing to sit in her designated seat
  • Speaking without Senate leadership recognition
  • Making abusive remarks against the Senate leadership

But women's rights activists argue that the suspension is a retaliatory action for her sexual harassment allegations. The hashtag #WeAreAllNatasha has gained traction, with advocacy groups calling for her reinstatement.

 Read more: The Guardian - Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan's Suspension Controversy

Senate Leadership Denies Allegations, Defends Suspension

To deny the allegations, Senate President Godswill Akpabio denied any involvement in sexual harassment and stated that the allegations are "false and politically motivated."

In defence, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele clarified the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate as arising from misconduct and breaching parliamentary conduct, and not due to her harassment allegations.

 Read more: Premium Times - Senate Leader's Response

Women's Rights Organizations Protest the Senate's Actions

Women's rights groups, including Feminist Coalition and Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), have brought protests and petitions calling for:

  • A fair hearing of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan
  • More protection for women in politics
  • A fair investigation into the allegation of harassment

 Find out more: AP News - Nigerian Senate Suspends Female Senator

The Bigger Issue: Women in Politics in Nigeria

Nigeria, being Africa's largest economy, has one of the lowest rates of women's representation in government. Women occupy only 7-9% of leadership positions in the nation.

Experts argue that instances like Akpoti-Uduaghan's demonstrate the persistent barriers that women encounter when trying to participate in governance.

Worth reading: ICWA - Advancing Women's Rights in Nigeria

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan Moves Case to Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has formally petitioned the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), a global organization that promotes parliamentarians around the world.

She is demanding:

  • A reconsideration of her suspension
  • An independent inquiry into her harassment allegations
  • Reforms to safeguard female lawmakers against political harassment

 Read more: AllAfrica - IPU Petition on Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan's Case

Public Reaction and Next Steps

The matter has evoked intense debates in Nigeria and across the globe. There are Nigerians who support the Senate's move for the purpose of upholding discipline in the chamber, while others view it as the action to silence a female parliamentarian.

Activists and women groups remain to demand:

✅ Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's reinstatement
✅ A transparent investigation into her grievances
✅ Increased protection for women in Nigerian politics

Conclusion: What This Case Portends for Nigeria's Democracy

The Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan case is a watershed moment for women's engagement in Nigerian politics. It has exposed the challenges confronting female lawmakers and necessitated emergency reforms in the political process.

This case can have implications for future gender equality policy, workplace harassment policy, and democratic governance policy in Nigeria. The world is watching how the Senate deals with this issue and its outcome can serve as a template for upcoming cases for women in Nigerian politics.

 Stay updated with trusted sources like The Guardian, AP News, and Premium Times for the latest information.

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