The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria recently communicated with the United Nations through the Office of the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria regarding the ongoing crisis in the Nigerian Senate. This situation arose from allegations of sexual misconduct made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently under a six-month suspension, accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of power. Following this, she brought her concerns to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, a United Nations entity, citing partiality within the Nigerian Senate and its leadership.
In a letter dated March 18, 2025, and signed by the Executive Director of the council, Blessing Akinlosotu, emphasized the importance of preserving the Senate as a cornerstone of democracy and national autonomy.
Akinlosotu urged for a fair and impartial evaluation of the situation, clarifying that Senator Natasha’s suspension was a result of her behavior in the chamber rather than her accusations against Akpabio. The suspension was reportedly due to her refusal to sit in her designated seat and addressing the Senate without proper recognition from the presiding officer, which were viewed as breaches of protocol.
These actions were deemed to contravene Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the 2023 Standing Orders of the Nigerian Senate. The council emphasized the necessity of avoiding the manipulation of such serious allegations for personal or political motives. They stressed the importance of substantiated evidence before making public accusations of sexual assault, particularly when involving individuals in positions of authority.