Nigerian Female Senator Suspended Amidst Claims of Sexual Harassment

On the 20th of February 2025 during the Senate plenary session in Nigeria, there was a dramatic turn in events when the representative of Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, addressed the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, head-on by saying, “I am not afraid of you Mr Senate President but you will not silence my voice.” 

That very moment and the exchange of words that took place between both parties has gone on to impact not only the Senators who were present in the chambers but the whole of Nigeria at large and is now even being recognized internationally. 

What Happened on February 20th During the Plenary Session? 

Image source: Anambra Times 

That morning as Mrs Natasha walked into the chambers, she was informed that she could no longer sit at her usual position where she was actively involved in discussions but rather she had a new seat located further at the back which was allocated to her by the Senate president. What was intended to be a normal plenary session became a heated confrontation when Senator Natasha disrupted the regular proceedings by rejecting the new seating arrangement. 

She insisted that the new seat which was allocated to her was done to undermine her. Hence, during the meeting, Natasha stood to her feet and quoted order 10 from the Senate standing orders which she later explained was a sort of ‘SOS’ for senators when they felt their rights had been breached. Order 10 says,

“Any senator may rise at any time to Speak upon a matter of Privilege suddenly arising, and he shall be prepared to move, without Notice, a motion declaring that the contempt of breach of privilege has been committed, or referring the matter to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, but if the matter is raised in Committee of the whole Senate, the Chairman shall leave the Chair to report progress.”

This order supports her actions of speaking up concerning unjust treatment being directed at her but the Senate President refused to pay her any mind because she wasn’t seated where he had suddenly allocated her just that morning. He even demanded that she be removed from the chambers immediately. 

Senator Natasha explained that the sudden seat change was the “straw that broke the camel’s back”. Before that day, she had endured several uncomfortable run-ins with Senate President Godswill Akpabio which she had been trying to suppress and ignore.

For instance, on the 8th of December 2023, Senator Natasha, her husband, and a few other friends of Godswill Akpabio were invited to the Senate President’s house in Akwa Ibom. At his house, while no one was paying them attention, Mr Akpabio made inappropriate advances towards Mrs Natasha by saying both of them could enjoy ‘quality time’ there at his house together. 

In February of 2024, Mrs Natasha wanted to move a motion concerning corrupt practices being carried out at the Ajaokuta Steel Company. While she was excited to take on this new project, the Senate president was hesitant to take her seriously. Six consecutive times she brought the Ajaokuta steel company’s case to his attention at Senate meetings and each time, he shut it down. Colleagues at the Senate advised her to speak with him privately. It was at their advice that Mrs Natasha decided to meet him at his office to ask why he didn’t want to support her in looking into the company’s corrupt practices. He told her blatantly that she would enjoy many things if she made him ‘happy’. He told her that the ball was in her court. 

All these instances led to her outburst during the session where she publicly announced that she was being maligned and sexually harassed by Godswill Akpabio. 

Senator Natasha has been Suspended from the Senate. 

Image source: Vanguard News 

Following her allegations of sexual harassment, Senator Natasha has been left to deal with the intense aftermath. Despite the lack of a formal court hearing or investigation into her claims, she was instantly suspended from the Senate for six months without pay. While she says this suspension came about as a result of her bringing the truth to light, Senate President Godswill claims she was suspended due to her ‘misconduct’ at the session. 

As if the suspension wasn’t enough, the upper chamber of the House immediately approved that her office be locked, automatically taking away her right to access it and everything within it. For the period of her suspension, she was ordered to hand over all senate properties in her possession. 

Senator Natasha Sues Senate President

Image source: Vanguard News

Five days after the confrontation at the Senate House, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan took legal action against the Senate President on the 25th of February 2025. She filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, suing Godswill Akpabio as well as a senior legislative aide, Mfon Patrick for alleged defamation. 

Following the incident on the 20th of February, Mr Patrick made a post on Facebook concerning Mrs Natasha. The post was titled ‘Is the Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?’ 

Natasha said this post was damaging to her reputation as the post claimed she had hardly any understanding of legislative rules and she was more concerned about ‘pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers.’

Based on the intention of the post to ridicule her, she asked the court to order Mr Akpabio and his aide to pay N100 billion in general damages and N300 million as litigation costs. She further reported the situation concerning Senate President Godswill Akpabio sexually harassing her to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the body that represents parliaments globally, at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Senator Natasha didn’t focus solely on herself but she used the opportunity to address the plight of women in general. 

“My suspension is not just about me. It’s about the systematic exclusion of women from political leadership in Nigeria.”

Sexual harassment of women in places of power is nothing new. It is unfortunate, however, that in this day and age, it is not being handled with the attention and seriousness it deserves. Many women in power who are being abused in whatever form are afraid to speak up for fear of loss of position or being further insulted and disgraced. In Natasha’s case, she is facing public shame in various forms. Abba Moro, the leader of her own party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), publicly demeaned her. He likened her to a "recalcitrant child" who must be punished when she misbehaves.

Additionally, the Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Onyekachi Peter Nwebonyi, made false and derogatory remarks about her, claiming she had “six children from six different men.” He added that her personal life serves as a barrier for other women wishing to enter politics.

Regardless of whether the sexual harassment allegations are true or not, it is completely unacceptable for anyone to publicly humiliate an individual in such a manner. The actions of these two men only reinforce Senator Natasha’s claims that women in politics are often subjected to harsh, unjust treatment.

It is important not to let this issue fade away. Continue to follow the developments of this story, share your thoughts, and stay informed!