Natasha goes international, takes sexual harassment case against Akpabio to to UN
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central in Nigeria, has recently taken her allegations of sexual harassment against Nigeria’s Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the international stage.
She has tabled her plight at the Women in Parliament session held at the Inter-Parliamentary Union Meeting (IPU) at the United Nations (UN) in New York.
This action follows a series of events that have escalated tensions within the Nigerian Senate and raised significant concerns regarding women’s political representation in Nigeria.
READ ALSO: Akpabio knocks Natasha, recalls her previous ‘false’ allegations against others
Akpoti-Uduaghan told the UN she is seeking justice and the intervention of global democratic institutions.
She also described her suspension from the Senate as illegal, adding that there are indications that she may be held against her will by “the powers that be” from Nigeria for speaking up in New York.
Allegations and Suspension
The controversy began when Senator Natasha accused Akpabio of making unwanted sexual advances towards her.
She submitted a formal petition detailing these allegations, which she believed would lead to a fair investigation by the Senate’s Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
However, after submitting her petition, she was suspended from the Senate for six months on March 6, 2025.
The Senate said her suspension was a consequence of her alleged misconduct during a confrontation over a new seating arrangement in the chamber.
Natasha described her suspension as illegal and politically motivated, asserting that it was a direct response to her speaking out against Akpabio’s alleged harassment.
She stated that this action not only silenced her but also reflected broader issues regarding the systemic exclusion of women from political leadership roles in Nigeria.
Some observers however say she was deliberately trying to twist the whole scenario along gender line.
Presentation at the UN
In an emotional address at the Women in Parliament session during the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting at the UN in New York, Natasha sought justice and intervention from global democratic institutions.
She emphasized that her case is not just about her personal struggle but represents a larger crisis concerning women’s rights and representation in Nigeria. During her speech, she expressed fears for her safety, suggesting that powerful figures in Nigeria might attempt to detain her for speaking out.
Natasha detailed the severe consequences of her suspension: loss of security detail, withdrawal of official vehicles, salary cuts, and restrictions preventing her from identifying as a senator or appearing near the National Assembly for six months.
