Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Alleges Political Motive Behind Suspension

Nigerian lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has alleged that her recent suspension from the Senate was politically motivated and orchestrated in advance.

In an interview, she claimed her suspension on March 6 was not a disciplinary action but rather a calculated move aimed at silencing her. She accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of overstepping his authority.

“The impression being circulated is that I caused a scene over my seat. That is false. I raised a matter of privilege under Chapter 4, Item 9b of the Senate Rules—a provision that demands immediate attention. But the Senate President cut me off, ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove me, and directed the Clerk to begin preparing my suspension letter. That wasn’t a reaction; it was a pre-written script,” she stated.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan further alleged that her suspension followed internal tensions after she refused to comply with what she described as “demands” from the Senate President. 

“He has no authority to unilaterally suspend any senator on the floor. The way he handled it—like I was a staff member in his living room—was not only unlawful but also degrading. My reaction was in response to a decision he had clearly already made.”

The senator also disclosed that her suspension came just a day after she submitted a formal petition against the Senate leadership

“I believe my suspension was retaliatory. The ethics report they cited was merely a smokescreen. I had submitted allegations that shook the system, and the next day, I was silenced,” she alleged.