The suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from Nigeria's senate has sparked a national debate on women's rights. Last July, Senate President Godswill Akpabio publicly apologized after reprimanding Akpoti-Uduaghan for speaking out of turn, following a backlash from the public. Recently, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment during an interview, claiming he made inappropriate advances and comments.
Akpabio has refuted these allegations. Akpoti-Uduaghan's formal complaint was dismissed by the senate's ethics committee on procedural grounds, and she was suspended for six months for unrelated disruptive behavior. This situation has brought attention to the broader issue of women's rights in Nigeria, a country with no female governors, vice-presidents, or presidents.
The number of women in Nigeria's legislative bodies has decreased, with only four women in the 109-member senate. Akpoti-Uduaghan, speaking from New York, criticized her suspension as an attempt to silence her, calling it an attack on democracy. Her suspension has been condemned by women's rights groups, leading to protests across several states under the banner "We are all Natasha."
Akpabio's spokesperson argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan's petition was improperly filed, but a new investigation is underway. Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the opposition People's Democratic Party, has faced significant challenges in her political career, including harassment and violence during her 2019 gubernatorial campaign.
Despite losing a recent senate election, a tribunal's decision has allowed her to become one of Nigeria's youngest senators. Akpabio, a seasoned politician, has faced previous allegations of sexual harassment, which he has denied, and has been involved in other controversies.
Following Akpoti-Uduaghan's suspension, many senators have supported Akpabio, a key ally of President Bola Tinubu. Some male senators have dismissed her claims as fabricated, and female senators have also criticized her publicly. Social media has spread false rumors about her personal life, and she has faced public harassment from pro-Akpabio demonstrators.
Some opposition senators have shown support for Akpoti-Uduaghan, and she has received messages from women across Nigeria who have faced similar issues but are afraid to speak out. While her courage is being recognized, many believe Nigeria is still far from a significant movement against sexual harassment, hindered by a culture of impunity and the need for powerful alliances to achieve justice.