By Abiola Olawale
Following a recent address at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Nigerian Senate has clarified that the suspension of the former was due to gross misconduct which has no link to allegations of sexual harassment, unlawful and unethical advances made at her by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The explanation comes in response to concerns raised by Natasha at a United Nations Inter-Parliamentary Conference in New York, where she sought international intervention over what she described as an unjust suspension.
However, the Senate, in its reply, maintained that Natasha, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District of Kogi State at the Senate, was suspended for six months following a series of actions deemed as “gross misconduct and unruly behaviour.”
This was contained in a letter written by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, addressed to the IPU and read by Honorable Kafilat Ogbara, Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development.
Ogbara, reading the letter, emphasized that the disciplinary action was strictly in line with the Nigerian Senate Standing Orders.
The Senate letter read in part, “Senator Natasha-Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behaviour and not as a result of an allegation of sexual harassment or assault. The authority of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria firmly refutes the deliberate misinformation and false narrative being circulated by certain media organisations regarding the sixth months suspension of Senator Natsaha-Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“Let it be unequivocally stated that Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent act of misconduct and disregard for the Senate Standing Orders.”
Recall that the controversy erupted when Senator Natasha was suspended on March 6, 2025, after a heated confrontation in the Senate chamber, reportedly over a seating arrangement and other procedural disputes.
Natasha, her alleged that her suspension was politically motivated and an attempt to silence her, particularly after she lodged a petition against Akpabio, alleging sexual harassment and abuse of power.
