The Nigerian Senate has imposed a six-month suspension on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for breaching the Senate’s standing rules. The suspension follows a contentious dispute between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who she accused of sexual harassment—a claim Akpabio has firmly denied.
On Thursday, Senate President Akpabio read out the findings from the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, which had been investigating Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations. The committee concluded that she had violated Senate rules, bringing the presiding officer and the Senate into public disrepute.
Akpabio announced the decision, stating, “The Senate shall 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.”
Despite attempts by some senators to reduce the suspension period to three months, the Senate voted to maintain the six-month suspension. However, there is a possibility for the suspension to be lifted or shortened if Akpoti-Uduaghan submits a written apology. Akpabio clarified, “For the Senate to consider lifting this suspension or reducing its duration, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan must submit a written apology.”
In a separate decision, lawmakers agreed that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s aides would still receive their salaries during the suspension. Senator Orji Kalu argued that the sanctions should not extend to her aides, stating, “The aides of Natasha are not Natasha. It would be wrong for this Senate to deprive these aides of their allowances.”
After the suspension was announced, Akpoti-Uduaghan was escorted out of the chambers by the Sergeant-At-Arms. Before leaving, she declared, “This injustice will not be sustained.”
The suspension follows weeks of controversy between Akpoti-Uduaghan, Akpabio, and the Senate. The dispute began on February 20, 2025, over a seating arrangement issue, which escalated when Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office. She submitted a petition to the Senate on Wednesday, but it was dismissed by the Senate Committee on Public Conduct, Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which ruled the petition “dead on arrival” due to procedural errors, including the fact that Akpoti-Uduaghan had signed it herself instead of having another senator endorse it.
Despite the setback, Akpoti-Uduaghan resubmitted her petition later that day. However, the committee recommended her suspension, a decision which was ratified by the Senate. In addition to the six-month suspension, the committee also recommended that her office be locked, she be barred from entering the National Assembly during her suspension, and that her salary and the salaries of her legislative aides be withheld.
The Senate President also clearly said ” she’s not coming back”.
The ongoing conflict between the Senate leadership and Akpoti-Uduaghan marks a dramatic turn in this case with Sen.Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan’s future in the Senate now hanging in the balance pending any apology or further developments.
