The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has stated that it will seek the views of the Nigerian Senate and its President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, before taking any action regarding the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.
Natasha, who was suspended for six months on March 6, 2025, over alleged misconduct, had taken her case to the IPU during the Women in Parliament Session, appealing for intervention.
She described her suspension as illegal, asserting that she was being punished for submitting a sexual harassment petition against Senate President Akpabio.
Her suspension, which followed a heated exchange with Akpabio, has sparked intense debate across Nigeria, with many questioning its legality and fairness.
Addressing the global legislative body, Natasha spoke passionately about what she perceived as political victimization and the systemic exclusion of women from leadership roles in Nigeria.
"I come with a heavy heart from Nigeria," she told the IPU gathering. "I was suspended illegally because I submitted a petition of sexual harassment against the President of the Nigerian Senate.
I thought that by doing so, he would recuse himself and allow for a fair and transparent investigation, but instead, I was silenced."
She detailed the consequences of her suspension, which included losing her security personnel, official vehicles, and salaries.
Additionally, she was barred from appearing near the National Assembly and prohibited from presenting herself as a senator both locally and internationally.
"This is a clear case of political victimization and an assault on democracy," she continued. "My constituents elected me to represent them, yet a few powerful men have unilaterally silenced their voices.
If a female senator can be treated this way in the full view of the world, imagine what ordinary Nigerian women go through every day."
In response, IPU President Tulia Ackson acknowledged Natasha’s concerns but emphasized that the organization must hear from both sides before taking any action.
"We have heard her concerns," Ackson stated in a now-viral video. "But as an institution, we will not only listen to her side but also give the other side an opportunity to present their case, as is our custom. Once we hear from the Nigerian Senate and its President, we will take the necessary steps."
The case has drawn widespread attention, with women's rights groups, civil society organizations, and political analysts weighing in on the implications of Natasha’s suspension. Many see it as a test of Nigeria’s commitment to gender equality and democratic values.
As the IPU prepares to engage with Nigerian authorities, all eyes remain on the unfolding political drama, with Natasha’s supporters calling for a transparent and just resolution to the controversy.