The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by Nigeria’s Senate, following her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has sparked national and global outrage. This incident is not just a political power play but a stark reminder of the systematic oppression, silencing, and mistreatment of women in politics and society at large.
Rather than upholding justice, the Nigerian Senate has chosen to protect its powerful male members while punishing a female senator who dared to speak out. The consequences of this decision stretch beyond Akpoti-Uduaghan, reinforcing the deep-seated culture of impunity that continues to shield men in power from accountability while discouraging women from active political participation.
The Senate’s decision to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months came under the guise of “misconduct” and a dispute over the chamber’s sitting arrangement. She was accused of refusing to sit in an assigned seat, allegedly violating Senate protocols. However, her punishment went far beyond any reasonable disciplinary action – her salary and allowances were suspended, her security aides were withdrawn, and she was barred from representing herself as a senator locally and internationally. If she does not submit a written apology, these punitive measures will remain in place for the full six-month period, an undeniable attempt to silence and humiliate her.
More disturbingly, Akpabio was allowed to preside over a case where he was the accused, demonstrating a clear conflict of interest. No credible legal or institutional system permits an individual facing serious allegations to lead deliberations on their own misconduct. Yet, in the Nigerian Senate, Akpabio remained in charge and ultimately oversaw the motion that resulted in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension. By allowing this to happen, the Senate effectively nullified any notion of fairness, choosing instead to protect the powerful and silence the accuser.
If due process and fairness meant anything to the Senate, Akpabio should have stepped aside and allowed an independent body to investigate the allegations against him before taking any action on Akpoti-Uduaghan. Instead, the matter was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, chaired by Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), which dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment petition on the grounds that she personally signed it, violating Senate rules.
This technicality was used as an excuse to avoid addressing the core issue – whether Akpabio abused his power. If this is the standard of governance in Nigeria’s legislative body, it is a chilling warning to any woman in politics that justice will always favour the powerful, not the victim.
As public outrage mounted, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu finally broke her silence on the matter. However, instead of acknowledging the gross injustice against Akpoti-Uduaghan and the deep-seated misogyny in the Senate, she downplayed the controversy. Speaking ahead of International Women’s Day, Tinubu defended the Senate as a “mature chamber” that must be treated with respect, dismissing concerns over the way Akpoti-Uduaghan was silenced. While she urged Nigerian women to assert themselves and not allow men to “talk to them anyhow,” her response failed to address the broader institutional injustice that extends beyond Natasha and affects women globally.
In contrast, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the wife of the late Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, displayed far more courage and integrity in her response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s ordeal. She publicly condemned Akpabio’s actions and criticised his attempt to draft his wife into the political battle against Natasha, calling it “highly disingenuous.”
Akeredolu’s remarks exposed a common tactic used by powerful men – hiding behind women to deflect accusations of misconduct. Rather than taking responsibility for the allegations against him, Akpabio orchestrated a defence using his wife, a move that weakens the broader fight for gender equality and justice.
Akeredolu’s bold stance deserves commendation. Unlike others who have chosen silence or neutrality, she recognised the deeper implications of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension and was unafraid to speak the truth. Her willingness to call out the hypocrisy and manipulation in the Senate shows the kind of solidarity that women in politics desperately need. If more female leaders exhibited her courage in standing against oppression, Nigeria’s political landscape would be far more just and inclusive.
This is not just about one senator—it is about every woman in Nigeria and around the world who has been systematically excluded from leadership, silenced when they demand justice, and punished for challenging the status quo. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension is part of a larger war against women in politics, where they are disproportionately scrutinised, undermined, and ultimately pushed out. Remi Tinubu’s response did not go far enough because this was not merely an internal Senate dispute – it was a direct assault on the legitimacy of women’s voices in governance.
The global implications of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension cannot be ignored. Around the world, women in politics are subjected to institutionalised discrimination, harassment, and violence aimed at discouraging their participation. From Theresa May in the UK, who faced sexist media coverage that focused more on her appearance than her policies, to Kamala Harris in the United States, who endured relentless gendered and racial attacks while running for president against Donald Trump, the pattern is consistent. Women in politics are judged by different standards, undermined in ways their male counterparts never are, and often pushed out of positions of power when they challenge the status quo.
Adebamiwa is the managing editor at Newspot Nigeria
Women in US Congress have also spoken out about the sexism and discrimination they face in leadership. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty recalled how she was mistaken for a waitstaff member at a high-level meeting, illustrating the dismissive attitude toward women, especially women of colour, in politics. Maggie Hassan shared how, when attending events with her husband, people would assume that he was the governor, ignoring the reality of female leadership. Norma Torres recounted how often she was interrupted by male colleagues, highlighting the ingrained bias against women in political spaces. These experiences mirror those of Akpoti-Uduaghan, showing that the struggle for gender equality in leadership is a global issue, not just a Nigerian one.
Afrobeat artiste Seun Kuti recently spoke out against the silence of Nigerian celebrities and feminists in supporting Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. He expressed disappointment that high-profile figures, who frequently advocate for women’s rights on less politically charged issues, have failed to rally behind Akpoti-Uduaghan in the way they did for Annie Idibia during her divorce case with 2Face. He criticised the hypocrisy of the entertainment industry and its refusal to challenge the government, suggesting that many celebrities stay silent because they benefit from government grants and political favouritism. Kuti’s remarks serve as a powerful indictment of selective activism, highlighting how even feminist movements can be co-opted or silenced when confronting powerful male figures in politics.
International organisations, including the United Nations and the World Bank, have repeatedly emphasised that gender equality in leadership leads to stronger economies and better governance. However, this means little if national institutions continue to function in a manner that enables the suppression of women rather than supporting them. The Nigerian Senate has an opportunity to reverse course by ensuring that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case is reopened for a fair and transparent review. Failure to do so will further confirm that Nigeria’s democracy is not one of justice but of political retaliation.
This case is not just about one senator – it is about every woman who has ever been silenced, discredited, or pushed out of politics simply for demanding fairness and accountability. If justice were to mean anything, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension should not stand, and the allegations against Akpabio should be independently investigated. Without these actions, Nigerian women will continue to see politics as a rigged game where the powerful protect each other while the voices of the vulnerable are systematically erased.
By allowing Akpabio to preside over a matter in which he is directly implicated, the Nigerian Senate has not only failed Akpoti-Uduaghan but has also failed democracy itself. If the system allows the accused to determine the fate of the accuser, then justice is nothing but a mirage, and democracy is reduced to a farce. A just society demands that those accused of wrongdoing be subjected to the same legal and ethical standards as anyone else, regardless of their political standing. Until women can speak freely without fear of retaliation, democracy remains unfulfilled, and the world continues to support systems that silence and punish those who dare to confront them.
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