Women groups petition UN over Natasha Akpoti’s suspension

A coalition of women’s rights organisations has petitioned the United Nations over the suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central.

The coalition, under the banner of Womanifesto and representing more than 350 groups, accused the senate leadership of gender-based discrimination and retaliation.

The petition, dated Monday, October 22 and addressed to Reem Alsalem, UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, alleged that the senate undermined Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

Akpoti-Uduaghan had on February 20 accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment — a claim he denied.

Days later, the senate committee on ethics and privileges recommended her suspension for six months on grounds of alleged breaches of parliamentary procedure.

The suspension stripped her of remuneration, security and access to the chamber.

On July 4, the federal high court in Abuja considered the suspension excessive and implored her reinstatement.

The senate has refused to comply, arguing that the judgment lacked a binding reinstatement order and that the case was “still under litigation”.

“This is about the integrity of our democracy,” said Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, convener of Womanifesto and director of the Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre.

“If a senator can be silenced for reporting harassment, what hope do ordinary women have?”

The petition called on the UN to press Nigeria’s government and the senate to enforce the court ruling, guarantee the senator’s safety, and establish an impartial inquiry into the harassment claim.

It also urged structural reforms to provide independent complaint mechanisms within the national assembly.

Signatories to the petition include Amnesty International Nigeria, FIDA Nigeria, Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, Women in Management Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), and Stand to End Rape (STER).

“This case shows that sexual harassment in politics isn’t just a personal violation — it’s a threat to women’s participation in governance,” the petition reads.

On September 9, Fatoumatta Njai, a Gambian lawmaker, asked the senate to reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Njai, who chairs the gender and children’s welfare committee of the Gambian parliament, said the senator’s suspension, which has lasted six months, was excessive and contrary to the provisions of the 1999 constitution.