The Nigerian Senate recently suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months without pay due to alleged misconduct during a plenary session, citing violations of the Senate Standing Orders. This decision followed the adoption of a report from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, which recommended a seven-point punishment for the Kogi Central senator. The committee found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of all allegations, as she failed to attend a public hearing to defend herself. The panel also suggested that her suspension could be shortened if she formally apologized to the Senate for actions deemed disrespectful.
During the plenary, seven motions based on the committee’s recommendations were put to a voice vote. One motion proposed reconciliation if Akpoti-Uduaghan apologized, but the Senate overwhelmingly rejected it, though the Senate President overruled and approved it. In addition to the suspension, her salary, security details, and access to the National Assembly premises were revoked. Her office was also ordered to be locked, though her legislative aides would continue to receive their salaries during the suspension period. The Senate further ruled that any apology from Akpoti-Uduaghan would only be considered after the six-month suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan briefly interrupted the proceedings after the report’s adoption, declaring, “This injustice against me will not be sustained. I will fight against it.” Interestingly, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu proposed an amendment to the recommendation to withhold her staff’s salaries, arguing that it would be unfair to punish them for her actions. The Senate agreed, allowing her aides to continue receiving their salaries.
The seven-point recommendations included suspending Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, locking her office, withdrawing her salaries and allowances, and barring her from representing herself as a senator during the suspension. The Senate also emphasized that she must not be seen within the National Assembly premises during this period.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s husband as a friend, recounted attending her wedding and sleeping at a hotel within the Dangote Cement factory premises in Obajana, Kogi State, for three days. He stressed his closeness to the family but maintained that the Senate’s rules must be upheld.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, a former senator, commented on the controversy, stating that the Senate is a mature institution deserving of respect. She urged women to carry themselves with dignity and confidence, emphasizing that the Senate should not be a place of controversy.
Meanwhile, former presidential spokesman Laolu Akande expressed concerns about attempts to silence Akpoti-Uduaghan, particularly regarding her sexual harassment claims against Akpabio. He urged the Senate to handle the matter dispassionately and avoid creating the impression of a gang-up against her.
Former Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker Ali Ahmad criticized court injunctions preventing the Senate from performing its constitutional duties, calling it an aberration. He also called for Akpabio to step aside to allow a proper investigation into the sexual harassment allegations.
The Ijaw Youths Network condemned calls for Akpabio’s impeachment, describing them as unnecessary and driven by vested interests. They expressed confidence in Akpabio’s leadership and called for transparency in handling the matter.
The Labour Party urged the Senate to reconsider Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, describing it as disheartening, especially on International Women’s Day. They argued that the suspension denied her constituents their right to representation and criticized the Senate for disregarding a court ruling barring the action.
Former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili condemned the suspension as a “vicious abuse of power,” criticizing the Senate for not investigating the sexual harassment allegations. She praised Akpoti-Uduaghan for inspiring a generation and standing firm against injustice.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a statement on her verified Facebook page, vowed to continue serving her constituents despite the suspension, calling it an injustice that violated principles of natural justice, fairness, and equity. She pledged to fight against the suspension and continue her duties as a senator.
