Sources within the Senate told SaharaReporters that Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC) opposed the idea of setting up a committee to resolve the issue involving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The Nigerian Senate, during its executive session on Wednesday, upheld the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Last Thursday, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for allegedly violating the Senate Standing Rules. Her suspension came after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.
The Senate Committee on Ethics and Public Petitions had recommended the six-month suspension, which includes the suspension of her salary, allowances, and those of her legislative aides, as well as the withdrawal of her security escorts.
However, SaharaReporters learned on Wednesday that Senators Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central, APC) and Abdul Ahmed Ningi (Bauchi Central, PDP) proposed that a committee be set up to resolve the issue involving Natasha and to pass a vote of confidence in Akpabio.
Sources within the Senate told SaharaReporters that Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC) opposed the idea of setting up a committee to resolve the issue involving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Oshiomhole reportedly argued that forming a committee would make the Senate appear weak if it reversed the suspension.
Sources said Senator Victor Umeh of the Labour Party also backed Senate President Akpabio and even proposed a Senate vote of confidence in him.
“Goje, Ningi, and Dickson were against the suspension. Goje and Ningi proposed setting up a committee to resolve the Natasha issue and to conduct a vote of confidence in Akpabio. However, Oshiomhole opposed any committee, saying it would make the Senate look weak if they backed down,” a Senate source said.
“Victor Umeh of LP also supported Akpabio and went as far as proposing a Senate vote of confidence,” the source added.
The executive session ended with a decision to let Natasha serve out her suspension, which took effect from March 6, 2025.
The senators’ deliberations at the executive session came a day after Akpoti-Uduaghan reported her suspension by the Senate and her case against Senate President Akpabio to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
The IPU is a global organization for national parliaments, with 181 member countries.
The Kogi Central lawmaker described the Senate’s action as “illegal” and a reflection of the challenges women face in Nigeria.
“I am not here to bring shame to my country; I am here to bring help to the women of our country,” she stated.
She said, “On March 6, I was suspended as a Senator—illegally—because I submitted a petition of sexual harassment against the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. I believed that by submitting the petition, he would recuse himself, and both of us would submit to a fair and transparent investigation by the committee on ethics. Unfortunately, I was silenced and suspended.
“I was suspended for six months under stringent conditions: my security detail was withdrawn, all officials working closely with me as a Senator were removed, my salary was cut off, I was barred from appearing anywhere near the National Assembly, and for six months, I was prohibited from introducing myself as a Senator.
“Whether locally in Nigeria or internationally, that would imply that I am here illegally. But I have nowhere else to turn except to speak before you all, because this situation illustrates the reality of women’s rights in political representation. My suspension is not just about me—women make up only 2.8% of the Senate. Out of 109 senators, only four of us are women.”
“My call for an open investigation into harassment has been met with hostility instead of accountability, in full view of the world. Imagine what ordinary Nigerians face every day,” she added.
After hearing the report, IPU President Tulia Ackson said that appropriate steps would be taken regarding Natasha’s case, but only after hearing the other side.
SaharaReporters previously reported that, after an initial rejection of her petition, Akpoti-Uduaghan resubmitted her complaint against Akpabio, alleging sexual harassment.
This time, the petition was signed by Azamariya Mariya, a member of her constituency.
In the petition, she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, abuse of office, and obstruction of her legislative duties.
While presenting it, she emphasised that the matter was not currently before any court in Nigeria, reinforcing her argument that it fell within the Senate’s jurisdiction to consider it.
The petition was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for further review.
However, she was later suspended for six months—a move widely condemned as an abuse of power.
Before Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, Chairman of the committee, Senator Neda Imasuen, said her actions had brought the Senate and its presiding officer into disrepute.
“For the Senate to consider lifting the suspension or to reduce the tenure, Senator Natasha shall submit a written apology before reconsideration by the Senate,” the committee’s recommendation read.
By Anthony Ogbekile
