Senator Natasha challenges suspension, seeks justice globally

DDM News

Senator Natasha Akpoti has taken her case to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) after being suspended from the Nigerian Senate.

According to Diaspora digital media (DDM) reports she argued that her removal was not just unfair but part of a wider issue of gender discrimination in Nigerian politics.

In a video shared by Sahara TV, she addressed the IPU with deep emotion, defending herself against what she called injustice.

She began her speech by apologizing to Honourable Kafilat Ogbara, making it clear that she did not seek to disgrace Nigeria.

“I come with a heavy heart from Nigeria, but first, I’d like to apologize to Honourable Kafilat Ogbara,” she stated.

“I’m not here to bring shame to our country, I’m here to seek help for the women of Nigeria,” she continued.

She explained that her suspension was the result of a petition she submitted against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The petition accused him of sexual harassment, and instead of receiving a fair hearing, she was punished and silenced.

She claimed that the Senate’s decision to suspend her was an attempt to suppress her voice and discourage female leaders.

Her suspension came with severe consequences that affected her professional and personal life.

She lost her official security detail, her government-issued vehicles, and her salary as a serving senator.

Additionally, she was banned from entering the National Assembly or identifying as a senator for six months.

She described these conditions as harsh and designed to intimidate her into silence.

Rather than remaining silent, she chose to take her case to the international stage.

During her speech, she highlighted the serious underrepresentation of women in Nigerian politics.

Out of 109 senators in Nigeria, only four are women, a situation she described as alarming.

She argued that her suspension was part of a broader pattern of political victimization against female politicians.

She accused the Senate of using punitive measures to discourage women from challenging corruption and entrenched power structures.

She stated that the political system remains hostile to women who attempt to hold powerful figures accountable.

Her suspension, she said, was a stark example of how female leaders face systemic oppression in Nigeria.

She called on the Inter-Parliamentary Union to intervene and support Nigerian women in politics.

She emphasized that her case was not just about her personal struggles but about justice for all Nigerian women.

She insisted that women in leadership should not be silenced or punished for speaking against misconduct.

Her speech gained attention, sparking discussions on the need for legislative reforms to protect women in government.

She urged international organizations to stand against gender-based political persecution in Nigeria.

Despite the difficult conditions of her suspension, she remains determined to continue her advocacy.

She declared that she would keep fighting for women’s rights and fair political representation in Nigeria.

Her case has drawn widespread attention and strengthened calls for gender equality in Nigerian politics.

She remains hopeful that international pressure will bring justice and fairness to her situation.

She vowed to continue pushing for change, no matter the obstacles placed in her way.

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