The recent allegations of sexual harassment leveled by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio raise serious concerns about accountability, gender representation, and the treatment of minority voices in the Nigerian Senate. Dismissing these claims outright without due process sets a troubling precedent and weakens the fight against sexual harassment, particularly when the accused holds one of the highest legislative offices in the country.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. In response, the Senate’s ethics committee dismissed her allegations, citing procedural rule violations. Shortly after, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, citing alleged misconduct unrelated to her accusations. This suspension effectively bars her from accessing her office, while her allowances and security are withdrawn for the duration. The Senate’s actions raise concerns about whether the system is designed to silence those who speak out rather than provide justice to victims.
The Nigerian Constitution does not explicitly mention sexual harassment, but certain provisions provide a framework for addressing it. Section 34(1) guarantees the right to dignity, prohibiting inhuman or degrading treatment, which sexual harassment clearly violates. Section 42 ensures freedom from discrimination, preventing any gender-based mistreatment. Beyond the Constitution, Nigerian laws such as the Criminal Code (Sections 351–361) criminalize assault and indecent acts, while the National Industrial Court Civil Procedure Rules (Order 14) recognize sexual harassment in the workplace as an offense. Additionally, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) 2015 criminalizes various forms of violence, including sexual harassment, though its implementation is uneven across states. These legal frameworks establish that sexual harassment is punishable under Nigerian law, even though enforcement remains a challenge. The absence of a proper mechanism to ensure accountability in cases involving high-ranking officials is an issue that cannot be ignored. Justice should not be selective or determined by political convenience. If an ordinary citizen accused of such an offense would be investigated, the same standard must apply to the Senate President.
The treatment of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan brings to the fore the broader issue of female representation in Nigeria’s legislative chambers. Out of 109 senators in the 10th National Assembly, only three are women. This glaring disparity underscores the systemic barriers women face in Nigerian politics. The response to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations exemplifies why more women struggle to attain and maintain political positions—because they are often dismissed, sidelined, or outright silenced when they challenge power. If a female senator can be treated this way for speaking up, what then is the fate of ordinary Nigerian women facing similar situations without the privilege of public office?
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This case is not just about Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio. It is about the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and the message it sends to the nation. Sexual harassment is a serious offense, and allegations of such nature must be subjected to thorough, independent investigation, not brushed aside through political maneuvering. The Nigerian Senate is an institution that should embody law and order. If lawmakers themselves flout the laws they are meant to uphold, what hope is there for ordinary citizens seeking justice?
Sweeping allegations of sexual harassment under the carpet is a dangerous precedent. It emboldens perpetrators and discourages victims from speaking up. The relevant authorities must ensure that due process is followed. The timing of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations, coming after a series of disputes with the Senate President, may raise political questions, but that should not invalidate the need for a proper investigation. If these claims are not treated with the seriousness they deserve, other cases will be similarly dismissed in the future, reinforcing a culture of impunity and weakening the fight against gender-based violence.
The Nigerian Senate must choose what kind of institution it wants to be—one that protects the powerful at all costs or one that stands for justice, irrespective of status. The world is watching.
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