By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja

The Senate yesterday slammed a six months suspension on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central District without any payment, even as it withdrew her security details during the period in view over an allegation of sexual harassment against the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio.

The suspension followed a report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, submitted to the Committee of the Whole, citing several infractions on the Rules and Orders of the Senate.

Reacting in a viral video after her suspension, Senator Natasha said:

“This injustice will not be sustained,” before her microphone was yanked off.

The Committee Chairman, Senator Imasuen Neda Bernards, representing Edo South Senatorial District, submitted that the Committee carried out an investigation on Wednesday, during which senator Natasha was afforded the opportunity to state her story.

Detailing the proceedings of the Committee’s investigative hearing, he said testimonies were taken to ascertain the truth or otherwise of the allegation raised by the respondent, in line with the mandate of the Committee.

Senator Imasuen recalled that on Wednesday last week, the respondent caused “chaos and a rowdy session” when she refused a seat assigned to her and engaged in a shouting march, in discordance with the relevant provisions of the Rules and Orders of the Senate.

The Edo South Senator said the unfortunate development was testified to by Senator Raphael Adeyemi Adaramodu of Ekiti South Senatorial District when he appeared before the panel on Wednesday to defend his petition against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The Committee Chairman maintained that Senator Natasha was formally invited for investigation following the referral of a petition against her to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.

In his contribution, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunsho, representing Ondo South Senatorial District, expressed concern over the conduct of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, insisting that the Senate as an institution must be protected at all costs.

According to Jimoh: “This institution is not about an individual. We have rules to regulate our activities. If we breach our own rules, the Executive will not come here to enforce them, and I must commend the Committee for the succinct report to the Senate.”

The Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Monguno of Borno North Senatorial District, in reference to the provision of the Constitution, maintained that “it is only in the animal kingdom that there are no rules and regulations,” insisting that the Senate will outlive everyone; hence, the institution’s rules must be protected.

Senator Bassey Aniekun Etim lamented that he watched with disappointment on February 20, 2025, “the shouting, the screaming, so I agree with all the issues raised in the report.”

The Minority Leader of the Senate, Abba Moro, pleaded for mercy and a mitigation option, stating that his submission was a reflection of all PDP Senators in the Senate.

In pleading for mercy, Moro recommended a three-month suspension, which he said was enough for the embattled lawmaker to realize her mistakes. He further argued that Nigerians are watching and seeing them as statesmen; hence, nothing should be done to bring disrepute to the chamber.

After contributions were made, the Senate President Godswill Akpabio in his remarks, said, “The Senator we are talking about is the wife of my very close friend and brother.

“On the day of her marriage, I slept in their house in the year 2020, and when I was to leave, I missed my flight at Obajana Airstrip and I slept again at Dangote Cement,” he said.

However, the suspension for six months was sustained by the Senate President after a voice vote with other resolutions including that she will surrender all National Assembly properties, her security details will be withdrawn, and the Sergeant-at-Arms will seal her office immediately so that she will not have access to it.

Meanwhile as it is the practice for all senators to stand up when the Senate President is entering into the Chambers for the day’s proceedings, the embattled senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan in a flagrant show of anger, yesterday refused to stand up during Akpabio’s entrance.

Following that attitude, the Senate however advised her to respect and obey the rules and orders of the legislative institution.

Rising on Order 55(1), the Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Monguno pointed out that “it is the Rules and Order of the Senate that when the Senate President is being ushered into the chamber by the Sergeant-at-arms, all senators must stand up”.

The chief whip regretted that Natasha disrespected the Rules and Order of the Senate on Wednesday and Thursday by refusing to stand up like other senators, as required, when Akpabio entered the chamber.

He called on the lawmaker to abide by the rules, irrespective of any circumstances, noting that the institution must be protected at all costs.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio sustained the order and urged all senators to be guided.

Senate, a Place of Honour, Not Controversy – First Lady

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu yesterday expressed her personal views over sexual harassment controversies in the Senate, saying the Chamber has come of age and must be treated with respect.

According to the First Lady, the Senate Chamber is a place of honour, hence should not be known for controversy.

She gave her observation amid allegations of sexual harassment against the President of the Senate, Goodwill Akpabio, and abuse of power by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Speaking in Abuja yesterday in commemoration of the International Women’s Day, She dismissed concerns over the Senate’s handling of issues, insisting lawmakers are “doing what is needful.”

The First Lady, who served in the Senate for 12 years, said the chamber should be a place of honour, not controversy.

Her words, “I know what is going on in the Senate, you’ll say, why am I not taking a position? I believe that the Senate is doing what is needed, because that’s what it is, it’s an inside place, and it’s a matured chamber.

“We shouldn’t be hearing things like that. It’s a matured chamber, and it should be treated with respect. It’s an honour for you to be in that place alone.

“I was there for 12 years, even in my younger days, and I’m still trying to look young, but people compliment you all the time only that”.

Reflecting on her own 12-year tenure in the Senate, the President’s wife admonished women to carry themselves with dignity and confidence.

According to her, women should not allow themselves to be in positions where they could be demeaned.

“Women, raise yourself. Don’t be in a position that men will be talking to you in ways that are unacceptable. You can always shut them down before they start,” she advised.

In line with this year’s International Women’s Day theme, which revisits the commitments made at the 1995 Beijing Conference on gender equality, the First Lady highlighted the progress Nigerian women have made over the years.

“Women, we’ve come a long way, even from all the matriarchs of old. They contributed, and up till now, women are doing phenomenal things,” she said.

She cited the example of Zuriel Oduwole, a young Nigerian advocate making waves on the international stage.

“Look at little Zuriel—you see what we can do. So I don’t believe that Nigerian youths are not equipped. They have what it takes,” she added.

She celebrated the resilience of Nigerian women and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence.

“Keep doing what you know how to do, lifting your heads high. All the very best, and Happy International Women’s Day”, she urged.

She also urged Nigerian women to assert themselves in leadership and not be sidelined.