By Ayomide Otitoju
The Nigerian Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over alleged violations of its standing rules.
Her suspension, announced on Thursday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, follows a dispute in which she accused him of sexual harassment. The decision was based on the recommendations of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, which found her guilty of bringing the Senate and its leadership into public disrepute.
“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,” Akpabio stated while reading the committee’s report.
Efforts by some lawmakers to reduce the suspension period to three months were overruled by a majority vote. Akpabio further stated that the suspension could only be lifted if Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan submits a written apology to the Senate.
As part of the sanctions, the Senate also ordered the closure of her office, barred her from the National Assembly premises, and halted her salary along with those of her legislative aides. However, Senator Orji Kalu urged the Senate to ensure that her aides continue receiving their allowances, arguing that “the aides of Natasha are not Natasha.”
Before leaving the chamber, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was escorted out by the Sergeant-At-Arms. She decried the decision, stating, “This injustice will not be sustained.”
Dispute Stems from Seating Arrangement, Harassment Allegation
The controversy began on February 20, 2025, after a disagreement over a seating arrangement between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio. This escalated when she accused the Senate President of sexual harassment and abuse of office.
She formally submitted a petition to the Senate on Wednesday, but the Committee on Public Conduct, Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen (Edo South), dismissed it. The committee ruled the petition “dead on arrival” due to procedural errors, including her failure to have it signed by a third party.
Following this rejection, Akpoti-Uduaghan resubmitted the petition. However, on the same day, the committee recommended her suspension, a decision that was swiftly ratified by the Senate.
Her suspension marks a climax in the ongoing power struggle within the Red Chambers and underscores the deepening rifts between the Senate leadership and some of its members.
