On Wednesday, a multitude of men and women wearing hijabs formed long queues to sign a petition to recall Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti from the Senate—one week after she took her sexual harassment claim against Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the UN Inter-Parliamentary Union in New York.  

Okehi local government constituents, the majority of whom were women, endured the scorching sun to sign Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall petition in Kogi State.  

Although many did not speak, polling officials said they were dissatisfied with Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s performance in the Senate and wanted a new representative.  

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 for six months after accusing Mr. Akpabio of victimizing her because she rejected his sexual advances. Mr. Akpabio has denied the allegations.  

The Senate justified Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, insisting it was a consequence of her misconduct in refusing to sit and speak from her newly assigned seat. 

Since the allegations came to light, protesters have turned out for both Mr Akpabio and the female lawmaker. The Senate president’s supporters accused Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan of blackmail and attempting to destroy his political career. 

Pro-Akpoti protesters, on the other hand, accused the Senate of trying to bully and intimidate a woman into silence for speaking out against an alleged oppressor.  

Peoples Gazette reported that Neda Imasuen, the Edo senator who chaired the ethics committee that recommended the female lawmaker’s suspension, had been disbarred by the New York Supreme Court after absconding with his client’s funds.