Amidst sexual harassment allegations raised by Natasha Akpoti against the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which subsequently led to her suspension in the Senate for six months, ActionAid Nigeria (ANN) has urged the authority of the Senate Committee on Ethics to ensure fairness and due process reign supreme over the matter, as Nigeria marks International Women’s Day 2025 on March 8th.
AAN Country Director, Andrew Mamedu in a statement issued by the organization said Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees the right to a fair hearing, which includes adequate time for defense and a transparent adjudication process.
According to the statement, the Nigerian judiciary has also ruled that legislative suspensions should not exceed 14 days, reinforcing the principle that elect representatives cannot be arbitrarily denied their mandate for extended periods. How then does this six-month suspension align with legal precedent?
Mamedu added that her suspension also has wider implications. Beyond the immediate legal and ethical concerns, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension further weakens women’s representation in Nigerian politics. Her removal from the Red Chamber reduces the already abysmal 3.6% female representation in the Senate to just 2.7%—one of the lowest in the world.
“Countries like Rwanda, South Africa, and Senegal have made significant progress in ensuring gender balance in their legislative bodies, with women constituting over 40% of parliamentary seats in some cases.
“The suspension of a female senator—especially in a case where the punishment is being questioned—only reinforces structural barriers that discourage women from pursuing political office.”
“Her suspension also has serious consequences for the people she represents. Her constituents in Kogi Central are now effectively left out.”
“By removing her from office for half a year, the Senate has, in effect, denied her constituents a seat at the table where critical national decisions are made.”
According to him, ActionAid Nigeria respects the institution of the Senate, but we also urge it to uphold democratic principles by allowing room for dissenting voices rather than silencing them.
“The credibility of any democratic institution lies in its ability to accommodate differing perspectives, protect fundamental human rights, and ensure justice for all, regardless of gender, status, or political affiliation.”
“As Nigeria joins the rest of the world in commemorating International Women’s Day, AAN calls on the government to accelerate progress toward gender equality by strengthening policies that promote women’s political participation.
“Creating a fair, transparent, and safe environment for female politicians to emerge and thrive is a critical development goal that must not be undermined by institutional bias or abuse of power.”
“Failure to act on these demands will send a dangerous message about Nigeria’s commitment to gender justice and human rights. The credibility of the Senate—and indeed, our democracy—is at stake.” the statement said.