The Nigerian Senate has told the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended because of misconduct and not for sexual harassment allegation she levelled against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.

This was after Natasha went before the IPU in New York to claim her suspension was because of her petition of sexual harassment against Akpabio.

The Senate's reply was contained in a letter signed by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.

The letter was read by the Chairperson of the House of Representatives committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Honorable Kafilat Ogbara, who is attending the event in an official capacity representing Nigeria.

The Senate letter read in part, “Senator Natasha-Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behaviour and not as a result of allegation of sexual harassment or assault. The authority of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria firmly refutes the deliberate misinformation and false narrative being circulated by certain media organisations regarding the sixth months suspension of Senator Natsaha-Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“Let it be unequivocally stated that Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent act of misconduct and disregard for the Senate Standing Orders.”

Honourable Ogbara, however, called for a thorough investigation into the allegation by Natasha against Akpabio.

She maintained that procedures and necessary actions under the Senate rules were observed before Natasha’s suspension.

ASA