Newscenter Media News The Nigerian Senate has pushed back against claims that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for speaking out about sexual harassment, insisting instead that she was sanctioned for gross misconduct and unruly behavior.
This response was delivered at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on Wednesday by Kafilat Ogbara, Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development.
Ogbara dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegation—made during a United Nations event — that her suspension was linked to accusations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
“Misinformation and False Narratives”—Senate Defends Its Actions
Ogbara stated that she had been tasked with presenting the Senate’s response following concerns raised by the IPU President, Right Honorable Tulia Ackson, about the suspension.
Read also: PDP alleges N800m bribery as four lawmakers defect to APC
“Such allegations demand a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation. At the same time, we must ensure that fairness is upheld for all individuals involved and that justice is neither predetermined nor one-sided,” she said.
She reiterated that Nigeria remains committed to women’s rights and gender equality, pointing to ongoing legislative efforts such as the Reserve Seats Bill aimed at increasing female representation in Parliament.
Reading from a position paper authored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Ogbara made it clear that the Senate would not tolerate what it described as “deliberate misinformation.”
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behavior, not as a result of allegations of sexual harassment or assault,” the statement read.
The Senate letter further emphasized: “Let it be unequivocally stated that Senator Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent act of misconduct and disregard for the Senate Standing Orders.”
What Led to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension?
According to the Senate, Akpoti-Uduaghan violated Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate rules, which warranted her six-month suspension. Bamidele detailed several instances of alleged misconduct, including:
– Refusing to sit in her assigned seat during plenary on February 25, 2025, despite repeated pleas from Senate leadership.
– Engaging in disruptive behavior and making abusive and disrespectful remarks toward Senate leadership.
– Ignoring Senate Ethics and Privileges Committee summons for investigations into misconduct.
The Senate insisted that had she followed proper procedures, her concerns would have been addressed on merit.
“If Akpoti-Uduaghan had strictly followed its guiding principles, the Senate would have treated her petition based on merit in line with its practice. She never obeyed the established practices of the institution where she was serving,” Bamidele said.
The Senate portrayed her actions as a direct challenge to the institution’s authority, stating that her defiance required disciplinary action to maintain order.
“No senator, regardless of status, gender, or political affiliation, is above the rules of the Senate,” the statement added.
Ripples Nigeria reports that the embattled senator has refused to back down. On Tuesday, she escalated the dispute by presenting her case at a United Nations forum, calling for international intervention to hold the Nigerian Senate accountable.
The Senate, however, dismissed this as an attempt to manipulate global opinion. It urged media organizations to correct “misrepresentations” and warned against spreading “falsehoods that undermine Nigeria’s legislative integrity.”
With tensions escalating between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate leadership, the controversy is far from over, and pressure is mounting on both sides to prove their case.
The post Senate tells IPU real reason Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.