Nigerian Women’s Coalition Petitions UN Over Senate’s Discrimination Against Senator Natasha Akpoti-

A coalition of Nigerian women’s rights groups has formally petitioned the United Nations, accusing the Nigerian Senate of systemic gender-based discrimination and retaliatory actions against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central. The coalition is calling for urgent intervention to address the alleged injustices faced by the Senator after she reported sexual harassment.

The petition, dated September 22, 2025, was submitted to Reem Alsalem, the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls. It was signed by Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Convener of Womanifesto Nigeria, which represents over 350 women’s rights advocates and activists across the country.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who publicly accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment on February 20, 2025, has been at the center of a prolonged controversy. Following her allegations, the Senate suspended her for six months, citing misconduct. Although the suspension period ended in September 2025, the Senate has refused to reinstate her.

The Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on July 4, 2025, that the suspension was unconstitutional and ordered the Senate to recall Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan so she could resume her legislative duties. Despite this ruling, the Senate has maintained her suspension, claiming the matter remains sub judice due to an ongoing appeal filed by the Senate President.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan formally notified the Clerk to the National Assembly on August 28, 2025, that her suspension had expired and requested access to her office and all senatorial privileges. She highlighted that the court ruling mandated her reinstatement and expressed her intent to resume her legislative responsibilities immediately.

However, the Senate leadership has continued to deny her access, effectively barring her from performing her duties as a lawmaker.

In their petition to the UN, the women’s coalition condemned the Senate’s actions as “retaliation for reporting sexual harassment,” amounting to systemic discrimination against women in politics. The coalition emphasized that this denial of access and failure to enforce judicial decisions violates Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights treaties, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

The petitioners called on the UN Special Rapporteur to urgently engage with the Nigerian government and Senate leadership to ensure the immediate reinstatement of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. They also urged for guarantees of her protection from further reprisals, public condemnation of retaliatory acts against women parliamentarians, and institutional reforms to promote impartial investigations and safeguard women’s rights in political spaces.

Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi expressed deep concern over the hostile environment created for women in politics due to such systemic discrimination and called on the UN to take swift action. “This case highlights the broader challenges women face when standing up against harassment and discrimination. We urge immediate measures to restore Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s rights and to protect all women lawmakers from similar abuses,” she said.

The petition underscores the ongoing struggle for gender equality and justice within Nigeria’s political institutions, signaling a critical moment for human rights advocacy and reforms aimed at fostering an inclusive and safe political environment for women.