Nigerian lawmakers have imposed a six-month suspension on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. This decision came just a day after she lodged a formal complaint detailing her claims.
On Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly accused Akpabio, a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, of inappropriate conduct. However, the ethics committee initially dismissed her petition on procedural grounds. They subsequently recommended her suspension, stating that her actions had brought disrepute to the Senate.
Debate over suspension duration
During the discussions regarding her suspension, some senators proposed reducing the penalty to three months. Despite this suggestion, the majority voted in favor of adhering to the ethics committee’s recommendation of a six-month suspension.
Public outcry and calls for investigation
In the days following her interview with Arise TV, where she first made her allegations, the issue has sparked widespread debate throughout Nigeria. Numerous influential individuals and organizations have called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the matter. On Wednesday, the assembly grounds in Abuja witnessed two opposing groups of protesters; one group expressed support for Akpabio while the other advocated for Akpoti-Uduaghan, chanting slogans such as “Akpabio must go.”