Senator Natasha Drags Nigerian Senate President Akpabio To IPU Over Suspension, Sexual Harassment

The embattled senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has taken Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, over her six-month suspension and allegations of sexual harassment.

Speaking at the Women in Parliament session at the United Nations in New York, Natasha informed the IPU of her alleged victimisation by Akpabio.

In an emotional speech, the senator sought justice and called for the intervention of global democratic institutions.

She described her suspension from the Senate as “unlawful” and an act of injustice against her.

Following her speech, she expressed concerns for her safety, claiming that “the powers that be” in Nigeria might attempt to detain her in New York for speaking out on the issue at the global event.

Recall that in March, the Nigerian Senate announced Senator Natasha’s suspension following recommendations from its Committee on Ethics, Rules, and Code of Conduct.

As a consequence of her suspension  she will not receive a salary, will be barred from entering the National Assembly premises, and will not be allowed to refer to herself as a senator during the suspension period.