A coalition of women’s organisations led by the Purple Women Foundation has announced a nationwide march scheduled for today to protest the recent suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The coalition is demanding her immediate reinstatement, asserting that her suspension undermines democratic principles and women’s representation in governance.

The Senate had suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, effective March 6, following a report by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, presented by its Chairman, Neda Imasuen, over allegations of misconduct and refusal to comply with seating arrangements during the February 20 plenary session.

In addition to her suspension, all her security aides were withdrawn, her National Assembly office sealed, all Senate-owned property in her possession taken from her possession, her salary and other entitlements suspended

She was also prohibited from entering the National Assembly premises and representing herself as a senator, both at home and abroad.

The Senate had stated that Natasha’s suspension had nothing to do with the sexual assault allegation, but was done as “disciplinary action for her alleged refusal to sit in her assigned seat, speaking without being recognised and making abusive remarks against the Senate leadership.”

Several groups, including the Purple Women Foundation, have condemned the suspension, describing it as a punitive measure aimed at silencing the senator. They argue that the action undermines her fundamental rights and sets a troubling precedent for women in leadership.

Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan will be barred from her office and have her allowances and security withdrawn for six months, according to a recommendation by the Senate’s ethics committee.

In response, the Purple Women Foundation has organised the “National Women’s March” under the theme “Nigerian Women Rise Against Patriarchy (We Are All Natasha).” The march aims to highlight issues of gender-based discrimination and advocate for women’s rights in Nigeria.

The nationwide march is planned across various states, including Benue, Delta, Edo, Kaduna, Enugu, and Oyo. The coalition emphasizes the importance of peaceful demonstration while seeking to defend the rights of women in governance.

Meanwhile, a group of protesters has urged the Senate to impose stricter sanctions on Akpoti-Uduaghan if she continues mobilising supporters against the institution.

Operating under the banner of Women for Good Governance, the protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of working with individuals attempting to tarnish the image of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and to destabilise the legislature.

The protesters, led by the Secretary of United Women for Good Governance, Enakeme Ojineme, carried placards with messages such as “Senator Natasha is a serial blackmailer”, “Senate Committee on Local Content is a privilege, not a birthright”, and “Nigerian women stand with Sen. Akpabio.

“We the united women for good governance have discovered that this false allegation of sexual harassment has a very strong political undertone, heavily propelled in collaboration with Sen. Natasha by those who are interested in the office of the Senate President at all costs.”

She described her actions as attempts to undermine the Senate through “unconventional, unlawful, and demonic means”, calling them “treasonable.”

“We hereby send a strong warning to these evil planners that what they are doing is nothing but trying to stab democracy with a fire dagger, which must be resisted by all well-meaning Nigerians.

“We, therefore, encourage the Nigerian senators and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to remain dedicated to their duties and not fail to give stringent punishment to Senator Natasha should she continue to mobilise street beggars, jobless boys, and ladies against the Nigerian Senate,” she added.

The Youth wing of the Labour Party (LP), however, condemned the involvement of party’s Senator Neda Imasuen in the controversial suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, calling it a gross injustice and humiliation.

The party accused Senator Imasuen of perpetuating a miscarriage of justice without proper investigation, in clear violation of a court order.

The youths, who were led to the National Headquarters of LP in Abuja by Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, questioned the haste in suspending Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, noting that the 10th Senate has not shown similar urgency in addressing pressing national issues.

“The recent development in the revered red chamber of the 10th National Assembly over the past week has prompted us to call for this media briefing.

“It’s no longer news that one non-compliant Labour Party, Senator, Neda Imasuen, representing Edo South Senatorial District was used as a willing tool to perpetuate what has been widely described as injustice and the humiliation of a Youthful voice in the senate, Mrs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan without proper investigation.

“We, the Nigerian youths, have in clear terms, condemn such rascality perpetrated by the Ethics and Privilege committee led by Neda Imasuen in clear violation of an order of the court.

“It’s clear to the Nigerian youths that an investigative panel, which was set for 11th March 2025, was mysteriously rescheduled to hold on 5th March 2025. Our question remains, “What is the haste for? They queried.

The youths made several demands, including the immediate cancellation of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, the reconstitution of a balanced committee to investigate the matter, and the recall of Senator Imasuen for poor representation and conduct.

“The 10th Senate should immediately rescind the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and reconstitute a morally and mentally balanced committee to do proper investigative hearing of the matter to salvage the already tainted image of the 10th Senate. We demand that Senator Neda Imasuen be recused from the reconstituted Committee.

“The Nigerians Youths are by this statement calling on the people of Edo South to immediately commence a recall process for Senator Neda Imasuen for his poor representation and conduct at the Senate.

“On the matter concerning the distinguished Senator Natasha, it has been observed that Senator Imasuen has not satisfactorily applied internationally accepted principles of fair hearing in making recommendation which lead to the controversial suspension of distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan”, Kennedy said.

It urged President Bola Tinubu to speak out against the alleged humiliation suffered by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and to ensure that his government upholds democratic principles of fairness and rule of law.

It further demanded that Senate President Godswill Akpabio present himself for investigation by an unbiased arm of government, accusing him of using his privileged position to frustrate the call for justice by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. (Daily Sun)