"I'm Here to Seek Help for the Women of Nigeria" Says Senator Natasha As She Takes Suspension, Harassment Case to Global Parliamentary Body
The unfolding suspension saga of Kogi Central Senator by the Nigerian Senate has taken a new dimension as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagha has taken her appeal against her suspension to a global parliamentary body, the IPU.
Olufemi Orunsola
Reports reaching the news desk of OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News have it on good authority that the lawmaker representing Kogi Central in the Nigerian Senate, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has taken her suspension from the Senate and her harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, Switzerland.
OTN News reports that the Kogi Central lawmaker granted audience by the IPU has described her suspension as “illegal” and symptomatic of the repression and deliberate marginalization and calculated silencing of women folk in the populous African country.
Senator Nathasha insisted that the peculiar circumstances she faces in the Senate is a reflection of the challenges women face in Nigerian politics.
In an emotional-laden presentation of her case before the global parliamentary body, sighted by OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News, the Nigerian female senator stated that she was suspended after speaking out about alleged sexual harassment by the Senate President , Godswill Akpabio.
It Would be recalled that the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, barring her from office and cutting off her allowances and security.
Thereafter, the Senate Committee on Ethics dismissed her petition, saying it did not follow proper procedures.
Her suspension was, however, linked to an earlier dispute over changes to her Senate seating arrangement.
The Kogi Central Senator who rolled out statistics and figures to back up her claims of marginalization of women in Nigerian politics, asserted that she is one of the only four female senators in the 109-member chamber.
OTN News also recalls that she first made the allegation during a television interview on February 28, claiming that Akpabio made unwanted sexual advances toward her in 2023, and the Nigerian Senate President has subsequently subjected her to undue harassments, including the change of seat saga that took place on the floor of the Senate.
This latest move by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagha is the latest episode in the Legislative drama that has threatened the continuous existence of Godswill Akpabio, as some stakeholders in Nigerian politics, led by former Senate President, Bukola Saraki have called for the resignation of the Senate President, pending the proper investigation of the allegations filed against him by Senator Nathasha and the determination of his innocence or otherwise.
As at the time of filing this report, it is not totally clear, what consequences, Nathasha's escalation of her appeal against her suspension from the Nigerian Senate, could have on the saga.
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