The complaint filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the United Nations Inter-Parliamentary Conference in New York on Tuesday has continued to generate reactions.
The Kogi lawmaker took her case to the global body, seeking intervention over what she described as an injustice against her.
After hearing her concerns, the IPU assured Senator Natasha that it would take appropriate steps to address the matter after considering the perspective of the other party involved.
Read Also: Senator Natasha Reports Her Suspension, Case Against Akpabio To UN Inter-Parliamentary Union
In response, the Nigerian Senate addressed her complaint in a letter written by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.
The letter was read by Honorable Kafilat Ogbara, Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, who is attending the event as Nigeria’s official representative.
The Senate letter read in part, “Senator Natasha-Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behaviour and not as a result of allegation of sexual harassment or assault. The authority of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria firmly refutes the deliberate misinformation and false narrative being circulated by certain media organisations regarding the sixth months suspension of Senator Natsaha-Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“Let it be unequivocally stated that Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent act of misconduct and disregard for the Senate Standing Orders.”
Honorable Ogbara, however, called for a thorough investigation into Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
She insisted that the proper procedures and necessary actions outlined in the Senate rules were followed before Senator Natasha’s suspension.
Last week, the Senate suspended the lawmaker, a decision that has sparked widespread debate across the country.
Before her suspension, Senator Natasha had submitted a petition to the Senate accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment, but the lawmakers dismissed it. Even after filing another petition, she was still suspended.
In response, Senator Natasha vowed to continue fighting against what she described as “injustice.” Meanwhile, Akpabio has denied the allegations, stating that he has never assaulted women.
Her dispute with the Senate President began on February 20, 2025, when her seat was reassigned during a plenary session.
This is not their first public confrontation. In July 2024, Akpabio reprimanded her for alleged misconduct, telling her to abide by Senate rules and remarking that the chamber was “not a nightclub where anyone can speak anyhow.” However, he later apologized for the comment.
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