Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central District, has escalated her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the United Nations Interparliamentary Union (UNIPU).
This action follows her suspension from the Nigerian Senate for six months, a decision she has described as unjust and politically motivated.
Akpoti-Uduaghan presented her case at the Women in Parliament session during the Inter-Parliamentary Union Meeting held at the UN headquarters in New York. She is seeking intervention from global democratic institutions to overturn her suspension and ensure justice. The senator has consistently maintained that her suspension violates principles of fairness and equity, emphasizing that she will continue to serve her constituents despite the setback.
The suspension, officially attributed to a breach of parliamentary rules, coincided with her allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio. She accused him of tying legislative progress on her motions to demands for sexual favors, claims which Akpabio has vehemently denied. The Senate Ethics Committee dismissed her petition on procedural grounds, sparking widespread criticism from women’s rights groups and activists who view the suspension as a punitive measure for speaking out.
Adding to her concerns, the Senate ordered the withdrawal of her security aides, prompting fears for her safety upon returning to Nigeria. Akpoti-Uduaghan has also filed a N100 billion defamation lawsuit against Akpabio while pursuing legal action to challenge her suspension in court.
The controversy has drawn international attention, with calls for impartial investigations into the allegations and debates over gender equity in Nigerian politics.
