Senate Suspends Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for Six Months Over Rule Violation
The suspension, announced during Thursday’s plenary session, follows the senator’s dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, whom she accused of sexual harassment—a claim Akpabio has firmly denied.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, while reading out the recommendations of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, stated:
“That the Senate do suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of the Senate Standing Rules (2023 as amended) for bringing the presiding officer and the entire Nigerian Senate to public opprobrium.”
Senate’s Conditions for Reinstatement
Despite attempts by some senators to reduce the suspension to three months, a majority vote upheld the six-month duration. However, the lawmakers agreed that her suspension could be lifted or shortened if she tenders a written apology to the Senate.
“For the Senate to consider lifting this suspension or reducing the tenure of the suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan shall submit a written apology to the Senate before her reconsideration by the Nigerian Senate,” Akpabio declared.
Senate Overrules Sanction on Aides’ Salaries
Initially, the committee recommended stopping the salaries of her legislative aides, but the Senate overruled this decision after Senator Orji Kalu argued that her staff should not suffer for her actions.
“The aides of Natasha are not Natasha,” Kalu noted. “It would be wrong for this Senate to deprive these aides of their allowances.”
Natasha Escorted Out of Chambers, Rejects Suspension
Following the formal approval of her suspension, the Kogi Central lawmaker was escorted out of the chambers by the Sergeant-At-Arms. However, before exiting, she declared:
“This injustice will not be sustained.”
Background of the Dispute
The controversy began on February 20, 2025, when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan clashed with Senate President Akpabio over a seating arrangement dispute. The situation escalated when she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office, submitting a petition before the Senate.
However, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, led by Senator Neda Imaseun (Edo South), dismissed her allegations, describing her petition as “dead on arrival” due to procedural breaches. The committee argued that she personally signed the petition, instead of seeking a third-party endorsement, thereby rendering it invalid.
Hours later, Senator Natasha re-submitted the petition, but on the same day, the committee recommended her suspension for rule violations—a decision swiftly ratified by the Senate.
Additional Sanctions
Apart from the six-month suspension, the Senate also ordered the sealing of her office and barred her from entering the National Assembly premises during the suspension.
Senator Natasha’s suspension marks the latest chapter in a series of disputes between her and the Senate leadership, as tensions within the Red Chambers continue to unfold.
