Natasha Was Suspended For Unruly Behaviour, Not On Sexual Harassment Allegation, Senate Writes To IPU In New York
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behaviour and not as a result of 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 sixth-month suspension of Senator Natsaha Akpoti-Uduaghan.”
These were contained in a letter to the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) over the claims by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan that she was suspended for accusing the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, of sexual harassment.
Senator Natasha, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the Senate, had earlier appeared the IPU in New York to lay complaint about her suspension from the senate over sexual Harassment and other forms of maltreatment.
In the letter reacting to Natasha’s complaint, the Senate explained that she was suspended for the violations of its rules and speaking abusive words to the leadership.
The letter was read at the IPU by the Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, who is presently at the event in her official capacity.
The letter, signed by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, stressed that the actions of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan represented a direct challenge to the authority of the Senate.
“Senator Natasha-Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behaviour and not as a result of 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 sixth-month suspension of Senator Natsaha-Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“Let it be unequivocally stated that Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent act of misconduct and disregard for the Senate Standing Orders.
“Natasha was suspended over her repeated violations, legislative decorum, including refusing to seat in her assigned seat on the 25th of February, despite multiple pleas from the leadership and other ranking senators, and act of open defiance and disorderly conduct, speaking without being recognised by the Presiding officer in clear violations of parliamentary practices and procedures on the 25th February, 2025.
“Engaging in an unruly behaviour and disturbing the orderly conduct of Senate proceedings, making abusive and disrespectful remarks against the leadership of the Senate, ignoring the summons of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges mandated to investigate the cases of misbehaviour.”
Senator Natasha had submitted her position to the IPU, saying: “I come with a heavy heart from Nigeria. But first, I’d like to apologise to Honorable Kathila Obara. I am not here to bring shame to our country. I am here to seek help for the women of Nigeria.
“Again, my name is Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Five days ago, on the 6th of March, 2025, I was suspended. “As a senator, I was suspended illegally because I submitted a petition of sexual harassment against the president of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
“I thought that by submitting the petition, he would recuse himself and both of us will submit ourselves to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition for a fair and transparent investigation. Unfortunately, I was silenced and I was suspended.
“I was suspended for six months, amongst many other stringent conditions, such as taking away my security and all the officials, vehicles, and other items handed over to me as a senator.
“My salaries would be cut off. I must not appear anywhere near the National Assembly. “And for six months, I’m not to introduce myself or present myself as a senator locally in Nigeria or internationally.
“That means I am here illegally. But I have no other place to go but to come here and speak to you women. Because this is a bigger picture.
“This is a bigger picture. It depicts the crisis of women’s political representation. My suspension is not just about me. It’s about the systemic exclusion of women from political leadership in Nigeria. Women make up 3.6 percent of political office holders.
“And in the Senate, it’s just 2.8. We have 109 men, and only four of us are women. So right now, it’s 108 with only three women. This is a clear case of political victimisation, punishment for speaking out against security, corruption, and gender-based violence. The United Nations Declaration 48-104 declares sexual harassment as a form of gender violence.
“The Senate action is an assault on democracy. I was elected by my constituents to represent them, yet a few powerful men have unilaterally decided to silence their voices by suspending me for six months. My call for an open and transparent investigation into harassment allegations has been met with hostility instead of accountability.
“If a female senator can be treated this way in the full view of the world, imagine what partners in Nigeria will go through every day, in workplaces and in universities.”
GoGreen Empowers Benue Women To Be Pillars Of Peace, Leadership
GoGreen Environmental Health Sustainability Initiatives, a Non-Governmental Organization, on March 8, 2025, organized a transformative one-day workshop in Makurdi, Benue State to commemorate the International Women’s Day.
The event brought together women livestock herders and crop farmers from Tse-Akpuku in Makurdi and Abinsi in Guma Local Government Areas, celebrating their pivotal roles in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, leadership, and gender equality.
The workshop underscored GoGreen’s unwavering commitment to empowering women as agents of change and fostering harmony in communities historically affected by disputes between herders and farmers.
At the heart of GoGreen’s mission is a belief in the transformative power of women.
During the workshop, the GoGreen CEO, Jackson Ameh, represented by Mrs. Theodora Chia, reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to equipping women with the skills and resources necessary to drive change.
He emphasized that true peace and sustainable development are unattainable without the full inclusion of women in decision-making processes.
GoGreen through the support of the UK Government, has provided critical training in sustainable agriculture, cooperative management, and dialogue facilitation under the SPRiNG Programme, ensuring that women farmers and herders are not only beneficiaries of development but also key stakeholders. “Empowering women is at the heart of our mission.
“Healthy relationships between herders and farmers are critical for lasting stability, and women play a crucial role in fostering these relationships.”
The International Women’s Day celebration served as a platform to showcase the achievements of women trained under the SPRiNG Project.
Their testimonials highlighted how the program has equipped them with the tools to foster peaceful coexistence, advocate for gender equality, and become role models for the next generation.
During the workshop, Dr. Helen Teghtegh highlighted women’s legal rights and strategies for empowerment, saying that amplifying women’s voices in governance leads to more resilient and inclusive societies.
Also, Mrs. Lucia Torjir a gender advocate lauded the participants as crucial pillars of support for their families and communities, urging them to leverage their leadership potential.
She highlighted how women’s participation in conflict resolution mitigates violence, builds trust, and nurtures sustainable peace.
Mrs. Magdalen Andoor, Director of Women Affairs at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, reinforced the need for women to claim their space in governance, breaking barriers that hinder gender equality.
She encouraged women to aspire for leadership roles in various sectors and actively participate in decision-making processes.
The workshop’s impact was evident in the testimonies of the participants.
Mnena Igba from Abinsi and Harila Umar from Tse-Akpuku expressed profound appreciation for GoGreen’s initiatives.
They acknowledged the organization’s role in enhancing agro-pastoral cooperation and providing them with the knowledge to advocate for gender equality and social justice.
Through shared experiences and interactive discussions, participants reflected on their growth as leaders, mediators, and champions of peace. Many shared inspiring success stories of how they have leveraged their newfound skills to mitigate conflicts and strengthen community resilience.
As the world continues to strive for gender equality and sustainable peace, GoGreen remains steadfast in its mission to empower women as catalysts for change.
The success of the International Women’s Day workshop reaffirmed the importance of women’s active participation in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
The SPRiNG’s Project and GoGreen’s broader initiatives are not just about celebrating women’s contributions but about equipping them to be leaders, decision-makers, and architects of lasting peace. By investing in women, we invest in the future of communities, ensuring a world where peace, security, and equality prevail.
GoGreen calls on governments, civil society organizations, and community leaders to support women’s empowerment efforts and create an enabling environment where women can thrive as leaders and peacebuilders. As we move forward, let us remember that empowering a woman is empowering a community. Together, we can build a more peaceful, equitable, and prosperous future for all.