The Nigerian Senate has defended its decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), clarifying that the suspension was due to gross misconduct, not allegations of sexual harassment.
In a statement before the IPU on Wednesday, Kafilat Ogbara, Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, rejected claims made by Akpoti-Uduaghan during a United Nations event. Akpoti-Uduaghan had alleged that her suspension resulted from raising accusations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Ogbara, representing the National Assembly, explained that she had been tasked with presenting a formal response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s speech delivered at the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
“In response to the call by the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Right Honorable Tulia Ackson, to hear both sides of the matter, I have received a letter from the Nigerian Senate in my capacity as Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development,” Ogbara stated.
She emphasized that such allegations required a fair, thorough, and transparent investigation, underscoring the importance of impartiality. “It is crucial that we ensure fairness for all individuals involved and avoid any pre-determined judgments,” she added.
Ogbara reiterated Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to women’s rights and combating gender-based violence, pointing to ongoing legal reforms aimed at improving women’s representation in the Parliament. These include initiatives like the Reserve Seats Bill and other constitutional amendments designed to safeguard women’s rights.
Addressing the accusations against Senate President Akpabio, Ogbara emphasized that both the allegations and responses were serious matters requiring careful and unbiased scrutiny. She urged that the issues of sexual harassment and Senate misconduct be considered separately to ensure fairness and transparency in the investigation.
Ogbara further called for the protection of all parties involved and for the process to be free from intimidation, ensuring that due process is rigorously followed.
Following Ogbara’s address, she read the Senate’s official position, presented by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. The Senate’s letter unequivocally stated that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was due to “gross misconduct and unruly behaviour,” not allegations of sexual harassment or assault.
The Senate refuted the claim that her suspension was linked to speaking out against Akpabio, calling it a “deliberate misinformation” spread by certain media outlets. The suspension, the Senate clarified, followed a violation of the Senate’s Standing Orders, specifically Sections 6.1 and 6.2, which regulate parliamentary conduct.
The Senate’s statement explained that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions included defying seating arrangements during plenary sessions, engaging in disruptive behaviour, making disrespectful remarks about Senate leadership, and refusing to comply with a summons from the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
“This suspension was essential to restore order and uphold the integrity of the Senate,” the statement read, reiterating that no senator, regardless of status, gender, or political affiliation, is above the rules of the Senate.
The Senate also urged media outlets to correct any misrepresentation of the events and refrain from spreading falsehoods that undermine the credibility of the Nigerian legislative process.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan escalated her dispute with Akpabio by presenting her case at a United Nations forum on Tuesday, calling for international intervention to hold the Nigerian Senate accountable for its actions.
