The leader of the Nigerian Senate has released a statement to set the records straight and counter misconceptions surrounding the suspension of one of its distinguished members in the 10th Senate, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central.
According to the statement released on Saturday, March 8, 2025, and signed by the Leader of the Senate, Senator Bamidele Opeyemi, CON, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension was due to her blatant disregard for the provisions of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended) and gross indiscipline.
Senator Natasha Akpoti’s suspension has nothing to do with her sexual harassment allegations to the President of the 10th Senate, Senator God’swill Akpabio, as people and the media have misconstrued. That such narrative is false and does not reflect what the Senate stands for, nor represent facts.
The statement explains that Senator Natasha did not strictly follow the rules and guidelines of the Senate in its Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended). That her six-month suspension was a decision of the Committee of the Whole Senate, following the submission of a report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
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The Kogi Central legislator was found guilty of violating Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Rules;
1. Refusing to sit in her assigned seat during plenary on 25th February 2025, despite multiple pleas from the Minority Leader and other ranking Senators—an act of open defiance and disorderly conduct.
2. Speaking without being recognized by the presiding officer, in clear violation of parliamentary practices and procedures on 25th February 2025.
3. Engaging in unruly and disruptive behavior, obstructing the orderly conduct of Senate proceedings.
4. Making abusive and disrespectful remarks against the leadership of the Senate.
5. Defying and refusing to comply with the summons of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges mandated to investigate cases of misconduct.
It reads that her actions were a direct challenge to the Authority of the Senate; hence, an immediate suspension was recommended for her, which was necessary to restore order and uphold the integrity of the Senate as the country’s foremost democratic institution.
The Leader of the Senate clarified that her suspension was not based on any sexual harassment allegations or the petition she submitted, which was rejected because it did not follow the procedural requirements for submitting petitions to the Senate.
The Senate condemned the false narratives that have been peddled by some media organizations over Senator Natasha Akpoti’s suspension, which it sees as an attempt to politicize a disciplinary action that was strictly based on clear violations of Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended), and urged foreign correspondents and media houses to correct those misrepresentations.
Below is a copy of the Statement:
