Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Alleges Imminent Arrest by Nigerian Government Amidst Senate Suspension

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has raised alarms about an alleged plan by the Nigerian government to arrest her following her recent suspension from the Senate.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months on March 6, 2025, after the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions found her guilty of breaching Senate Standing Orders. The suspension also includes the withholding of her salaries and allowances, withdrawal of her security details, and a ban from accessing the National Assembly premises during the suspension period.

The suspension has sparked criticism from various quarters. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to rescind the suspension, deeming it unlawful and a violation of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s rights to freedom of expression. Similarly, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) described the suspension as a travesty of justice.

Amidst these developments, Akpoti-Uduaghan attended the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York on March 11, 2025, despite not being officially nominated by the Nigerian government. She registered online as a senator, leveraging her previous participation in IPU meetings to secure accreditation. Her attendance has prompted the Nigerian government to launch an investigation into her participation.

In light of these events, Akpoti-Uduaghan has expressed concerns about her safety, alleging that the government is planning to arrest her. She has called on the international community and human rights organizations to intervene and ensure her protection.

As the situation unfolds, it underscores the escalating tensions between Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Nigerian Senate, raising concerns about parliamentary procedures and the treatment of dissenting voices within the legislative framework.