The Federal Government has stepped in following the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as women’s rights groups threaten mass protests over what they call an attack on democracy and gender equality.

 

The Minister of Women Affairs, Iman Suleiman-Ibrahim, announced that the government would engage stakeholders to ensure “justice is tempered with mercy”.

 

Senator Natasha was suspended from the National Assembly for six months after her petition alleging sexual harassment by Senate President Godswill Akpabio was dismissed on procedural grounds. The Senate’s ethics committee recommended her suspension, accusing her of bringing ridicule to the upper chamber.

 

In response, women’s coalitions, including the Coalition for Women in Governance and Women in Management, Business, and Public Service, have vowed to mobilize mass protests if the decision is not overturned. Zainab Mohammed, leader of the coalition, called for Natasha’s immediate reinstatement and demanded that the Senate respect judicial authority.

 

Additionally, over 13,000 supporters have signed a petition calling for Senate President Akpabio to step down pending an investigation.

 

With International Women’s Day highlighting global calls for gender equality, the controversy has intensified discussions on women’s rights and fair representation in governance.