Summary
The Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over alleged violations of Senate rules admist her public accusations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Following the suspension, feminists and women’s groups have launched a digital protest with #WithStandWithSenatorNatasha among other interventions.
The Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, alleging “violations of the Red Chamber’s rules.” Her suspension follows a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, whom she accused of sexual harassment.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the man she accused of sexual assault, announced the decision on Thursday, Mar. 6, 2025, while reading the recommendations of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, which investigated her claims.
“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 stated.
Some senators attempted to reduce the suspension to three months, but a majority vote upheld the six-month penalty. However, the lawmakers ruled that the suspension could be lifted or reduced if Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted a written apology to the Senate.
“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,” Akpabio said.
Following the ruling, the Sergeant-at-Arms escorted the Kogi Central lawmaker out of the chambers. Before leaving, she declared, “This injustice would not be sustained.” The Senate also barred her from the National Assembly premises for six months and prohibited her from identifying as a senator during the suspension period.
The decision came after the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, presented its report. The report, signed by all 14 committee members, detailed Natasha’s alleged misconduct and noncompliance with Senate rules. Meanwhile, women continue to be underrepresented in political positions, as there are currently four Senators in the National House of Assembly, including Senator Natasha.
Despite the suspension, Natasha submitted another petition on Thursday, reiterating her sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio. She stated that the petition was signed by one of her constituents. In response, Akpabio inquired whether the petition was part of any ongoing litigation. Upon receiving a negative response, he referred the matter to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, directing it to report back in four weeks.
Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno warned Akpoti-Uduaghan against further violations of the Standing Rules. He accused her of repeatedly refusing to stand when Akpabio entered the chamber, violating Senate Standing Orders 55(1).
“Senator Natasha has been consistently and persistently in breach of these rules,” Monguno stated. “If you are seeking refuge always under order 10, you cannot approbate and reprobate. We urge her to study the rules and comply in observance and not in breach.”
A day earlier, the Senate had rejected a similar petition submitted by Senator Natasha, citing Order 40(4), which bars senators from presenting petitions signed by themselves.
In response, Nigerians, particularly feminists and women groups, have taken to social media to trend the hashtag “I Stand With Senator Natasha” to show support for the Senator’s bravery in speaking up even though she’s being oppressed so publicly. They also highlighted the unconstitutional acts and the systemic oppression in the Senate’s decision to suspend Senator Natasha.
“Please trend the hashtags and let Senator Natasha know you are standing behind her. She will not be silenced. We will never be silenced! #WeWillNotBeSilenced #WeStandWithSenNatasha #FemCoLockdown,” Madam Keji, tweeted.
“Senator Akpabio presided over a matter where he was the accused person. This is a fundamental breach of the principle of fair hearing. The purported suspension of Senator Natasha is lacking of due process and the act itself is illegal. The Senate lacks the powers to suspend her,” Moe also tweeted.
X user @_mediadump also wrote, “Senator Natasha is a classed woman in a position of power, yet the crass hands of misogyny have been mauling her. Imagine how horrid it is for an average Nigerian woman. The Nigerian Senate should hide in shame for this cruel display of degeneracy.”
Feminist organisations like SirenCo and Herbode have also rallied online to organise a walk to protest this injustice across all states. Publications like DocumentWomen and Naija Feminists Media (NFM) have also released statements condemning Natasha’s oppression and sharing valuable recommendations on the way forward.
Dami Onosowobo, a women’s rights activist, organised an X space to garner support for Senator Natasha. Meanwhile, NFM is also holding one on Mar. 8, 2025, to commemorate International Women’s Day.
Feminists continue to advocate for overturning the suspension, calling for Nigerians to sign a Petition for Senator Natasha’s reinstatement.
