Civil society organization FixPolitics has strongly criticized the Nigerian Senate for suspending Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, calling it an attack on democracy and gender inclusion.
The Senator representing Kogi Central was suspended without pay or security details following accusations that she violated Senate rules.
Her suspension came after a clash with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements and her allegations of sexual harassment against him.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had submitted a formal petition against Akpabio to the Senate, but it was swiftly dismissed by the ethics committee. The Senate then moved to suspend her, a decision that has sparked widespread criticism.
In a statement, FixPolitics’ Executive Director, Anthony Ubani, condemned the suspension, stating that it was a deliberate attempt to silence the senator and deny the people of Kogi Central their constitutional right to representation.
“The suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan under the pretext of rule violations is not only an abuse of legislative power but a serious threat to Nigerian democracy,” the statement read.
FixPolitics further emphasized that gender inclusion and the rule of law were under attack, warning that such actions set a dangerous precedent for women in politics and democracy in Nigeria.
