Why Senator Natasha Was Suspended, Senate Replies IPU in Trending Video

• The Nigerian Senate has replied to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) over Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan's suspension
• The Senate said Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behaviour
• The chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, read the Senate's letter to the IPU

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 7 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international events.

The Nigerian Senate has told the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was not suspended over her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Legit.ng recalls that the senator representing Kogi Central was suspended for six months.

The chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, said Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behavior.

The senior special assistant on media to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu shared the video via X page, @Riddwane, on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

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Ogbara stated this while speaking before the IPU on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

“In response to the call by the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Right Honorable Tulia Ackson to hear both sides of the matter, I have received a letter from the Nigerian Senate in my capacity as chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development of our parliament in Nigeria and the parliamentarian representing Nigeria at this conference,”

Reading the position paper of the Senate by the Senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Ogbara said:

“Senator Natasha-Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behaviour and not as a result of an 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 six-month suspension of Senator Natsaha-Akpoti-Uduaghan.”

Who decided on Senator Natasha's suspension?

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The Senate further stated that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was a decision of the Committee of the Whole Senate for violating Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Rules.

According to the Senate, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was necessary to restore order and uphold the integrity of the legislative body.

“No senator, regardless of status, gender, or political affiliation, is above the rules of the Senate.

“Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was a direct consequence of her actions and nothing else,”

Legit.ng also reported that the Nigerian Women's Crusade for Good Governance reacted to Senator Akpabio and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's saga.

The women's group apologised to Senator Akpabio and Nigerians over Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s conduct.

The group accused the Kogi Central senator of resorting to disruptive and crude behavior in the National Assembly.

Saraki reacts to Akpabio’s claim of alleged removal

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that a former Senate president, Bukola Saraki, lashed out at Senate President Akpabio over his recent allegation.

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Akpabio: “No reversal of Natasha’s suspension,” Senate insists

Saraki accused Akpabio of politicising and trivialising the call for due process amid the harassment claims against him.

He rubbished Akpabio's claim that some wanted him removed as Senate president because he hails from the Niger Delta region.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng