Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Rejoins Nigerian Senate, Hails Constituents’ Courage Against Intimidation

In March 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexually harassing her, sparking public outrage and igniting a nationwide debate on gender-based intimidation in Nigerian politics.

The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has resumed plenary at the National Assembly following months of suspension over her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

In March 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexually harassing her, sparking public outrage and igniting a nationwide debate on gender-based intimidation in Nigerian politics.

Days later, the Senate suspended her for six months, citing alleged misconduct and violations of its standing orders.

Rights groups and civil society organisations condemned the suspension, describing it as an attempt to silence a female lawmaker for speaking out against abuse of power. Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, challenged the decision in court, arguing that it was unconstitutional and politically motivated.

Her return to plenary on Tuesday followed the resolution of the legal case, which questioned both the legality of her suspension and the circumstances surrounding the harassment allegation.

After Tuesday’s plenary, the senator expressed gratitude to her constituents and renewed her faith in the judiciary for upholding justice.

“My attendance at plenary today is a testament of resilience by the good people of Kogi central and Nigerians, especially their courage to resist every unscrupulous intimidation,” she said.

She continued, “While averting Hon. Rifkatu Danna’s dilemma, our victory is the people’s and God’s.”

Reaffirming her confidence in the judiciary, she added, “I recommit myself to continued service to my constituents and country while trust the courts to be fair and swift in adjudicating the

matters before them.”