Outrage in Nigeria as Female Senator is Suspended for Accusing Senate President of Sexual Harassment

In a move that has sparked outrage and renewed debates over gender rights and political power dynamics in Nigeria, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been suspended from the Nigerian Senate for six months following her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The decision, made on March 6, 2025, has drawn criticism from women’s rights activists and political observers, who see it as an attempt to silence a female lawmaker speaking out against misconduct at the highest levels of government.

The Allegations and Fallout

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only four female senators in Nigeria’s 109-member chamber, accused Senate President Akpabio of sexually harassing her in what she described as an ongoing pattern of abuse of power. According to sources, the senator made the accusation publicly, prompting a swift backlash from the Senate leadership.

In response to the allegations, the Senate Ethics and Privileges Committee launched an inquiry—not into the alleged misconduct, but into whether the senator had violated parliamentary rules by making the accusations in public. The committee subsequently recommended her suspension for “unparliamentary behavior,” leading to her expulsion from Senate proceedings for six months.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to leave the chamber voluntarily and was forcibly escorted out by security personnel, marking a dramatic and highly controversial moment in Nigerian parliamentary history.

Akpabio’s Denial and Government Response

Senate President Akpabio has denied the allegations, calling them “baseless” and politically motivated. His supporters argue that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims are an attempt to tarnish his reputation and create instability in the legislature.