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From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
A coalition of over 350 Nigerian women’s rights organisations has taken the dispute between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate to the United Nations (UN), accusing the upper chamber of gender-based victimisation and retaliatory action after the lawmaker raised allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a petition addressed to the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, Reem Alsalem, and submitted yesterday, the Womanifesto network said the Senate’s treatment of Akpoti-Uduaghan undermines Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, went public on February 20 with allegations that Akpabio sexually harassed her, an accusation the Senate President has firmly denied. Within days of her disclosure, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions recommended her suspension for six months, citing alleged breaches of parliamentary procedure. The suspension stripped her of salary, chamber access and security detail, sparking outrage among civil society groups who described the measure as excessive and retaliatory.
On July 4, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the suspension was unconstitutional and ordered her reinstatement. Despite the judgment, the Senate has refused to allow her return, insisting the ruling contained no explicit reinstatement directive and remains under litigation.
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“This is not just about Senator Natasha,” said Dr. Abiola-Akiyode-Afolabi, convener of Womanifesto and executive director of the Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC). “This is about the integrity of our democracy. If a senator can be silenced for reporting harassment, what hope do ordinary women have?”
The petition called on the UN to prevail on the Nigerian government and the Senate to enforce the High Court ruling by reinstating Akpoti-Uduaghan immediately, ensure her safety and protection from reprisals, and establish an independent investigation into her harassment claims. It also urged structural reforms to guarantee impartial complaint mechanisms within the National Assembly.
Among the signatories are Amnesty International Nigeria, FIDA Nigeria, Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) and Stand to End Rape (STER). The groups warned that the refusal to implement the court order sends a dangerous message to women in politics and public life.
“This case shows that sexual harassment in politics isn’t just a personal violation, it’s a threat to women’s participation in governance,” the petition stressed.
