March 11, 2025

In a courageous move to seek global intervention, Nigerian Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has brought her case of suspension and sexual harassment to the International Parliamentary Union (IPU), appealing for international solidarity and support for Nigerian women facing systemic political and gender-based discrimination.

Speaking at the IPU assembly in New York on Tuesday, Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan shared her painful experience with delegates, exposing not only her personal suffering but also the broader, more insidious challenges facing women in Nigerian politics. Her suspension by the Nigerian Senate, lasting six months, was publicly linked to a petition she submitted accusing Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of sexual harassment. This, she argues, is part of a troubling pattern of retaliation and silencing of women who dare to speak out against the pervasive culture of gender-based violence and discrimination.

The Senate, in their official justification, stated that Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was due to her violation of Senate standing rules. However, the timing of the suspension—just days after her petition against the Senate President—has fueled suspicion that her punishment is politically motivated and a direct response to her challenge of a powerful man in the Nigerian political system.

The Struggles of Women in Nigerian Politics

In her emotional address at the IPU, Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan framed her case not just as an attack on her person, but as part of a broader struggle for gender equity and women’s inclusion in political leadership. Nigeria’s political landscape is notorious for its exclusionary practices that marginalize women, with women holding only 3.6% of political offices nationwide, and a mere 2.8% of seats in the Nigerian Senate. In a chamber of 109 senators, only three are women—down from four after Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension. Her case highlights a glaring imbalance, where women, despite being half of the population, are systematically excluded from decision-making spaces.

Her suspension and the harsh conditions attached to it—ranging from the loss of security, vehicles, and salary, to being banned from engaging in international parliamentary functions—demonstrate the severe repercussions of standing up against injustice. Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan has bravely defied these conditions by seeking justice abroad, despite knowing her actions were deemed illegal under Nigerian law.

A Call for Gender Equality and Accountability

As a gender advocate, it is vital to understand the broader implications of this situation: Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension is not just a personal attack; it’s a manifestation of the deeply entrenched gender discrimination that permeates every level of Nigerian society. This is a country where women continue to face violence, intimidation, and exclusion in political spaces, yet their voices remain critical in shaping a democratic and just society.

Her accusations of sexual harassment against the Senate President, which she has described as a violation of her dignity and rights, shed light on the broader issue of sexual violence in politics. The Senate’s refusal to address these allegations through a transparent investigation is a clear example of institutionalized impunity. This culture of silence and hostility towards women’s political participation further perpetuates gender violence, sending a dangerous message to both political and everyday spheres about the worth and safety of women.

Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s experience serves as a stark reminder that when women are silenced, marginalized, and excluded from the political process, society loses the diverse perspectives and innovative solutions that come from true gender equality. Her suspension, if left unchallenged, sends a chilling message to other women in Nigeria and around the world: to speak out is to risk your voice, your position, and even your safety.

A Call for Global Solidarity

It is crucial that the international community, through platforms like the IPU, lends its support to women like Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who are at the frontline of fighting for gender justice and democracy. The global fight against gender-based violence and discrimination must include not only the protection of women’s rights but the active promotion of their full participation in political leadership.

The injustice faced by Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan should be viewed as part of a larger crisis of gender inequity in politics. As she poignantly stated, if a female senator can be subjected to such mistreatment on the national stage, one can only imagine the challenges faced by everyday women in workplaces, schools, and other spaces across Nigeria and beyond. For true democracy to thrive, women’s voices must not only be heard—they must be protected, respected, and amplified. It is time for international advocacy and solidarity to stand with women like Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan in their fight for justice, equality, and human dignity.

Her story should not be dismissed as an isolated incident but should instead spark a global movement to challenge the systemic barriers women face in political spaces and beyond.