The President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Tulia Ackson, has acknowledged concerns over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and assured that the global parliamentary body will listen to both sides.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, took her case against Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the IPU meeting at the United Nations in New York on Tuesday.
Addressing the IPU’s Women in Parliament session, the senator alleged that she was suspended after accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment.
“Five days ago, on the 6th of March 2025, I was suspended as a senator illegally because I submitted a petition of sexual harassment against the president of the Nigerian senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio,” she told the gathering.
She said she had expected Akpabio to step aside while both of them submitted to a fair and transparent investigation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
“But unfortunately, I was silenced, and I was suspended for six months among many other stringent conditions, such as taking away my security, taking away all the official vehicles and other items that were handed over to me as a senator.
“My salary would be cut off. I must not appear anywhere near the National Assembly. And for six months, I am not to present myself as a senator locally in Nigeria and internationally. I am here illegally, and I have no other place to go but to come here.”
The senator said her suspension represents a broader issue of gender discrimination in Nigerian politics.
“This is a clear case of political victimisation, punishment for speaking out against impunity, corruption, and gender-based violence,” she said.
She further claimed that she felt unsafe and feared being held against her will in New York for speaking out at the global forum.
However, the Nigerian Senate has denied that her suspension was related to the sexual harassment allegations.
In a statement, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended due to her “unparliamentary behaviour” and for violating Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended).
Her suspension was based on the report of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges. The Senate maintained that she was sanctioned for misconduct, including her refusal to comply with the chamber’s sitting arrangement.
The suspension, which is for six months, could be lifted earlier if she submits a written apology to the Senate leadership.