A coalition of over 350 Nigerian women’s rights organisations, operating under the umbrella of Womanifesto, has submitted a formal petition to the United Nations, accusing the Nigerian Senate of retaliatory actions against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The petition, addressed to the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, Ms. Reem Alsalem, outlined what the coalition describes as a pattern of institutional discrimination, suppression, and abuse of power targeting the female lawmaker.
Signed by Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Convener of Womanifesto and Executive Director of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), the complaint urged the UN to intervene urgently.
The coalition claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, publicly accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment on February 20, 2025.
Shortly after, it added, the Senate suspended her for six months over allegations of misconduct—charges her supporters argue are politically motivated and aimed at silencing her.
The women groups further alleged that qlthough the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on July 4 that her suspension was unconstitutional and ordered her reinstatement, the Senate has reportedly failed to comply, citing procedural delays and contesting the binding effect of the judgment.
The petition read in part, “This is not merely an isolated disciplinary matter.
“It represents a disturbing case of institutional retaliation against a woman legislator for reporting sexual harassment.
“It sends a chilling message to all women in public life and undermines Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights law.”
The coalition further claimed that the Senate’s Ethics Committee dismissed Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s complaint without conducting an independent or impartial investigation, raising serious concerns about accountability mechanisms within the National Assembly.
Womanifesto therefore called on the UN to issue an urgent communication to the Nigerian government, demanding Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reinstatement, protection from further reprisals, and an independent inquiry into the sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio.
The petition also urged for broader institutional reforms to establish impartial and transparent complaint processes within Nigeria’s legislative bodies.
Signatories to the petition include WARDC, Amnesty International Nigeria, FIDA Nigeria, Project Alert, WIMBIZ, and hundreds of other civil society organisations committed to advancing gender equality and justice.
Senator Akpabio has previously denied all allegations of sexual misconduct.
