Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Senate illegally suspended me over sexual harassment allegation against Akpabio: Natasha Akpoti

“The illegal suspension does not withdraw my legitimacy as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I will continue to use my duly elected position to serve my constituents,” said Ms

• March 7, 2025
President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

The embattled senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has vowed to continue to serve her constituents despite her suspension from the Red Chamber.

The Senate, on Thursday, suspended Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan over “total violation of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 as amended.”

“The illegal suspension does not withdraw my legitimacy as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I will continue to use my duly elected position to serve my constituents and country to the best of my ability till 2027 and beyond,” Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan said in a statement on Thursday.

The lawmaker was barred from all legislative activities for six months following her sexual harassment allegations levelled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

In its report on Thursday, the Senate Committee on Ethics established that Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan violated the rule of the upper chamber in a change-of-seat controversy that ensued during a plenary two weeks ago.

Despite acknowledging her petition against Mr Akpabio, the Senate voted to suspend the female lawmaker, close her office and withhold her salaries.

“Against the culture of silence, intimidation and victim-shaming, my unjust suspension from the Nigerian Senate invalidates the principles of natural justice, fairness and equity,” said Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Nigerian Exchange

Economy

Investors gain as market capitalisation crosses N159 trillion mark

The performance marked the third consecutive trading session of gains.

ICPC

Abuja

ICPC hands over forfeited $65 million housing project to FMBN

The ICPC handed over 27.92 hectares of forfeited land linked to a diverted $65 million housing project to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

suspected pipeline vandals

States

Police arrest seven suspected pipeline vandals in Adamawa

Police recovered 285 pieces of vandalised NNPC pipelines.

Photo of a flooded community used to illustrate the story (Credit: PG)

Heading 2

NIHSA issues flood alert for 1,841 Bauchi communities, 16 other states

The agency urged state governments, local authorities and residents of flood-prone communities to take immediate precautionary measures.

Speaker Mudashiru Obasa

Economy

Lagos govt seeks assembly’s approval for ₦200 billion bond, FAAC-backed initiative for infrastructure financing

Speaker Mudashiru Obasa referred both requests to the Joint Committee on Economic Planning and Budget and the Committee on Finance for detailed scrutiny.

Children at a crèche

Rights

Lagos urges improved child adoption, fostering services

Mr Ogunlende described adoption, guardianship and fostering as pathways that provide vulnerable children with hope and stability.