THE SENATE on Thursday suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghen for six months for violation of the Red Chambers rules.
Her suspension followed an acrimonious dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio when she protested the reassignment of her seat by Akpabio.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghen had arrived at a plenary session to find her nameplate removed and her seat reassigned, which she argued was an attempt to silence her.
She was later to accuse the Senate President of sexual harassment on Arise Television alleging that her ordeal in the Senate was because she refused to accede to his sexual advances.
Her suspension was put to a vote after she was denied the opportunity to speak, with the majority siding with the Ethics Committee’s report.
As part of the suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s salary and security details would be withdrawn, and she would be barred from accessing the National Assembly premises.
Her office would also be locked, and her legislative aides would not receive their salaries during this period. The Senate further ruled out reconsidering her suspension until the six-month term ends or she submits a formal apology.
“That the Senate do suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of the Senate Standing Rules (2023 as amended) for bringing the presiding officer and the entire Nigerian Senate to public opprobrium,” Senate President Godswill Akpabio said on Thursday while reading out the recommendations of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct probing her claims.
Despite efforts by some senators to reduce the suspension period to three months, the Senate, in a majority vote, sustained the initial decision
However, the lawmakers ruled that the suspension could be lifted or reduced if she tenders a written apology.
“For the Senate to consider lifting this suspension or reducing the tenure of the suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan shall submit a written apology to the Senate before her reconsideration by the Nigerian Senate,” Akpabio said at the Red Chambers on Thursday.
Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, supported the committee’s recommendation, stating that her actions warranted disciplinary action. He likened the move to “correcting a child,” referencing Nigerian cultural norms.
Senator Moro however pleaded that the 6-month suspension be reduced by half.
To appeal the suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan must submit a written apology to the Senate for allegedly violating its rules.
Flashback
A heated confrontation had ensued during a Senate plenary session on Thursdays, February 20, 2025 when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan protested the reassignment of her seat by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The session took an unexpected turn as she arrived to find her seat reassigned, with her nameplate removed.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had protested this and demanded an explanation for what she perceived as an unjustified move.
Following the incident, the matter was referred to the Ethics Committee over her actions during the plenary session.
Consequently, the Senate pushed the matter to the Senator Neda Imasuen-led Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions after the Senate President mandated the committee to conduct a thorough investigation and report back within two weeks.
