By – Abba Hamisu Sani
Africa-Press – Nigeria. One of the recent political issues that has received significant attention in Nigeria is the sexual harassment allegation made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
This development has generated a lot of controversy, especially after the Senate leadership suspended the female senator for six months without proper investigation.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki is one of the senior politicians calling for a thorough investigation into the matter.
His reaction to the issue has sparked a cold war between the former governor of Kwara State, Saraki, and the former governor of Akwa Ibom, Akpabio.
Saraki Criticizes Akpabio Over Handling of Natasha’s Allegations
Former Senate President Dr. Abubakar Saraki has criticized Senate President Godswill Akpabio and called for a thorough investigation into the allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the incumbent Senate President.
In a statement signed by Saraki’s Head of Media Office, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the former Senate President emphasized that his March 1, 2025, press release did not call for Akpabio’s resignation but urged him to prioritize the integrity of the Senate by ensuring a credible and transparent investigation.
“Rather, he advised that Akpabio should act in the best interest of the legislative institution by ensuring that no reasonable person is left with any doubt that the allegations raised by Senator Natasha were properly investigated and justifiably addressed,” the statement read.
In a swift reaction, Senate President Akpabio, the former governor of Akwa Ibom State in the Niger Delta region, described Saraki’s comments as an attempt to remove a Niger Delta leader from office, labeling the statement as “cheap politics” and an attempt to trivialize a serious issue.
Saraki’s Response to Akpabio
While responding to Akpabio’s reaction to his press release, former Kwara State governor Abubakar Bukola Saraki dismissed Akpabio’s claim that he was trying to remove him from office. Saraki described it as an attempt to shift focus from the core issue of protecting the Senate’s credibility.
The former Senate President made these remarks during a meeting with youth leaders recently.
“Ordinarily, Dr. Saraki would have ignored the statement as a sign of the times in which we now live. However, its underlying motive of politicizing and trivializing a serious issue that threatens the integrity, credibility, and importance of the legislature is why we believe the Senate President should not be allowed to create a misleading impression of the issue at stake in this all-important institution.”
SERAP Tells Akpabio: Rescind Unlawful Suspension of Natasha or Face Legal Action
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to immediately rescind the unlawful suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
SERAP argues that the senator’s suspension is based solely on the peaceful exercise of her constitutionally and internationally recognized right to freedom of expression.
“The Senate should immediately reinstate Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan and revise parliamentary procedures that unduly restrict senators’ human rights,” SERAP stated.
The Senate recently suspended Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months after she reportedly spoke without permission and refused to take her new seat in the upper legislative chamber.
Her salary and allowances will not be paid for the duration of the suspension, and she has been banned from representing herself as a senator.
Kolawale Oluwadare, Deputy Director of SERAP, stated that no one should ever be punished for speaking without permission. He emphasized that being a senator does not deny Natasha her fundamental human rights.
The civil society activist made this statement in an open letter dated March 8, 2025.
“The Senate should be setting an example by upholding the rule of law and promoting and protecting fundamental human rights, not suppressing them.
Punishing Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan solely for peacefully expressing herself is unlawful, unnecessary, and disproportionate. Her suspension would also have a chilling effect on other members of the Senate, discouraging them from freely expressing themselves and exercising their human rights,” SERAP reiterated.
The letter further stated that Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension is purely based on the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression in the Senate. It also suggested that other reasons cited by the Senate for her suspension appear to be a pretext to further restrict her fundamental rights.
Part of the letter read:
“We would appreciate it if the recommended measures are taken within 48 hours of receiving and/or publishing this letter. If we do not hear from you by then, SERAP will consider appropriate legal action to compel you and the Senate to comply with our requests in the public interest.
Any application of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 must conform to constitutional and international human rights norms and standards relating to freedom of expression and should not undermine the right itself.
Suspending Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan for peacefully exercising her right to freedom of expression has rendered her voice in the Senate ineffective,” SERAP added.
The organization emphasized that no member of the Senate should suffer any consequences for peacefully exercising their freedom of expression. It also noted that a higher degree of tolerance is expected when it comes to political speech, and an even higher threshold is required when such speech is directed towards government officials, including members of the Senate.
Natasha’s Suspension Denied Her Constituency Their Right to Representation
The unlawful restriction of Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s right to freedom of expression has indirectly violated Nigerians’ right to receive information and ideas and has seriously undermined the right of her constituency to political participation.
“Given the impracticality of direct participation of all citizens, Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights provides that a citizen shall exercise political power either directly or through freely chosen representatives.
The suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate has restricted and seriously undermined the ability of the residents of her Kogi Central Senatorial District to effectively participate in their own government. The suspension, therefore, constitutes a violation of Article 13 provisions,” SERAP stated.
Muhammad Umar, a political analyst, condemned the actions of the Senate leadership, describing them as detrimental to Nigeria’s democracy.
“The tactics applied by Akpabio are an unfortunate way of handling an allegation that should have been thoroughly investigated to safeguard the integrity of the Senate as an institution,” he said.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki’s call for a proper investigation is the right course of action. However, Akpabio has dismissed it as an attempt to remove him from office.
Natasha and other female senators deserve special respect and fairness in any matter concerning their integrity.
“I urge all civil society organizations in Nigeria to follow the example set by SERAP in advocating for Senator Natasha’s rights,” the analyst added.
Other female legislators across the country must also be proactive in protecting their fundamental human rights and standing up to defend their integrity against all forms of intimidation.
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