Embattled Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghen has decried injustice after the Senate suspended her for six months over her dispute with the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio.
The Senate President, to whom she alleged sexual harassment, announced the suspension of the Senator from Kogi Central Senatorial District on Thursday.
“That the Senate do suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of the Senate Standing Rules (2023 as amended for bringing the presiding officer and the entire Nigerian Senate to public opprobrium,” he said.
Business Post reports that Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan was denied audience after the announcement. She was later led out of the chamber by the Sergeant-At-Arms.
However, before she left, she declared that “this injustice would not be sustained.”
According to Mr Akpabio, the recommendations of her suspension were based on the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.
Some of the senators pleaded that the suspension be shortened to three months but the majority of the senate voted for the initial decision.
The lawmakers ruled that the suspension could be lifted or reduced if she tenders a written apology.
“For the Senate to consider lifting this suspension or reducing the tenure of the suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan shall submit a written apology to the Senate before her reconsideration by the Nigerian Senate,” Mr Akpabio said at the Red Chamber on Thursday.
The decision has led to reactions from many quarters who lamented that the male-dominated legislative organ is flexing its issues rather than tackling the matter properly.