Senate Suspends Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for Six Months

The Nigerian Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over allegations of violating the Senate Standing Rules. Her suspension follows a heated dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, whom she accused of sexual harassment—a claim Akpabio has denied.
During a plenary session on Thursday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision, citing the findings of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.
“The Senate hereby suspends Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for violating the 2023 Senate Standing Rules (as amended) and for bringing the presiding officer and the entire Senate to public ridicule,” Akpabio declared.
Although some senators proposed reducing the suspension to three months, the majority vote upheld the six-month ban.
The Senate, however, agreed that the suspension could be reviewed if Senator Natasha submits a written apology.
“For the Senate to reconsider lifting or reducing this suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan must submit a formal written apology,” Akpabio stated.
In a slight adjustment to the committee’s recommendations, the Senate ruled that her aides’ salaries should not be affected.
“Natasha’s aides are not Natasha,” argued Senator Orji Kalu, who called for an amendment. “It would be unfair to withhold their allowances.”
Following the ruling, the Sergeant-at-Arms escorted Senator Natasha out of the chamber. However, before leaving, she vowed to challenge the decision, declaring:
“This injustice will not stand.”
Her suspension is the culmination of weeks of controversy between her, Akpabio, and the Senate leadership.
The tension escalated on February 20, 2025, after a seating arrangement dispute with Senator Akpabio. Subsequently, Senator Natasha accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office, which led to a N100 billion lawsuit against her for alleged defamation.
On Wednesday, she submitted a petition to the Senate Committee on Public Conduct, Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen (Edo South). However, the committee dismissed her claims, calling them “dead on arrival” due to procedural errors.
According to the committee, Natasha signed the petition herself instead of obtaining an external endorsement, rendering it invalid. Hours later, she re-submitted the petition, but the committee swiftly recommended her suspension, which the Senate ratified.
As part of the disciplinary measures, the Senate ordered:
A six-month suspension
Sealing of her office
Barring her from the National Assembly complex
Suspension of her salary and benefits
This is not the first public dispute between Senator Natasha and Akpabio. In July 2024, the Senate President had previously apologized to her over a nightclub-related comment.