Nigerian lawmakers have suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months after she filed a petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.
Uduaghan first made the allegations in a televised interview last Friday, accusing one of Nigeria’s top politicians.
The ethics committee, after dismissing her petition on procedural grounds, recommended the suspension, stating that her actions had embarrassed the National Assembly.
While some senators proposed reducing the suspension to three months, the majority voted to uphold the six-month suspension as suggested by the committee.
Women’s rights activist Hadiza Ado condemned the suspension, calling it a “sad day for Nigerian women.”
In response, Uduaghan described her suspension as an “injustice that will not be sustained,” vowing to continue fighting for justice regarding her treatment.
Her allegations have sparked widespread debate across Nigeria, with various influential figures and groups demanding a thorough investigation.
On Wednesday, two groups of protesters gathered outside the National Assembly in Abuja—one supporting Akpabio and the other backing Uduaghan, chanting “Akpabio must go.”
Mrs. Ado, founder of the Women and Children Initiative, stated, “We’ve been following events at the Assembly closely, hoping that an investigation into Natasha’s allegations would proceed.”
She added, “Today is a sad day for Nigerian women fighting for emancipation. Out of 109 senators, only four are women, and now one is suspended.”
The suspension has sparked outrage on social media, with many women calling it an act of “oppression.”
During her suspension, Uduaghan will be prohibited from entering the National Assembly, and her office will be locked.
Source-BBC
