The Nigerian Senate leadership has denied suspending Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a statement released on Saturday, March 8, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele clarified that the Upper Chamber suspended Senator Natasha for violating Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended) and for her unparliamentary behavior during plenary sessions.
The Senate had on Thursday, March 6, 2025 handed Akpoti-Uduaghan a six-month suspension. However, rather than acknowledging the disciplinary action, she allegedly misled the public into believing she was suspended due to her accusations against the Senate President. Bamidele emphasized that her suspension was solely due to repeated violations of legislative decorum and had nothing to do with her petition on sexual harassment.
Bamidele further explained that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition did not meet the procedural requirements for submission to the Senate.
“It has come to the attention of the Senate that some media reports falsely suggest that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was due to allegations of sexual harassment. This is completely untrue, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to distort facts. Had she followed the proper procedures, the Senate would have treated her petition on its merits,” Bamidele stated.
He added that the suspension was a collective decision of the Committee of the Whole Senate, following a report submitted by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions. Her actions, he noted, represented a direct challenge to the authority of the Senate and a violation of its standing orders.
Bamidele insisted that the disciplinary measure was necessary to restore order and uphold the Senate’s integrity as a democratic institution.
“Contrary to false claims, Akpoti-Uduaghan was not suspended for making sexual harassment allegations or submitting a petition. Her petition was rightly disregarded because it failed to meet the Senate’s procedural requirements. No petition—regardless of its subject—can be considered if it does not follow due process,” he said.
He expressed dissatisfaction with attempts to politicize the disciplinary action and urged the media to report facts accurately.
“This misinformation campaign seeks to politicize a disciplinary action based strictly on violations of Senate Standing Orders. It is reckless, misleading, and a disservice to Nigerians who deserve truthful reporting. We urge responsible media outlets to correct these misrepresentations and refrain from propagating falsehoods that undermine Nigeria’s legislative process.”
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