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.
After hearing Natasha’s complaint, Ackson said they would also hear what the other side had to say.
“Dear colleagues, there was I matter before I closed the meeting, there was a matter that arose during the first session which we had this morning, the matter that was raised by our colleague from Nigeria, Senator Natasha.
“And because all of us had what she said, and it only serves us better if I put a word in what she has said. So I would like to say we have.
“We have had her concerns, and having heard her, it would have been an opportunity for all of us to understand more about what she has said.
“But because we listened only on her side as an institution, as IPU, we will be taking the concerns that have been raised, not only taking her side but also giving a chance to listen to the other side as it is a custom for IPU and after having listened to the other side.
“We will take steps as necessary. So I thought it was necessary for us to say a word about it and then be able to take it further.
“So I thought I should let you members before we think she because she said something different from what the contributions were.
“So we have taken care of it, we have taken the concerns that she raised, and we will be working on them. Of course, having listened to the other side and we will be able to take steps after that.
“I also recognize the fact that our Nigerian delegate who is here had requested the floor, but because of time,e she wasn’t given a chance to speak. But like I said, we have had the concerns that have been raised by Senator Natasha…,” Ackson stated.
It can be recalled that the Nigerian Senate had 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.
