BREAKING BARRIERS: NATASHA AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN’S ₦100.3 BILLION LAWSUIT AND THE UPHILL BATTLE FOR GENDER REPRESENTATION IN NIGERIAN POLITICS
Nigeria remains one of the lowest-ranked countries in the world regarding women's representation in national parliaments, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The steady decline in female participation in politics since 2011 reached a new low in the 2023 elections, with women occupying only 3% of Senate seats and 4% of the House of Representatives. Despite constituting just over 10% of the 15,000 candidates who contested various positions at national and subnational levels, most female candidates ran under smaller parties, limiting their chances of electoral success.
One of the most notable women in Nigerian politics, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has been at the center of a growing political storm. Her recent altercation with the Senate leadership over seat allocations has sparked heated debates on parliamentary decorum, gender bias, and the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative system.
Born on December 9, 1979, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is a Nigerian lawyer, social entrepreneur, and politician. She first gained national prominence when she contested the 2019 Kogi Central Senatorial District election under the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Later that year, she ran for the Kogi State governorship, further solidifying her reputation as a fearless politician.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, of mixed Nigerian and Ukrainian descent, holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Abuja (2004) and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2005. She later earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Oil and Gas Management from the University of Dundee (2012). Aside from her political career, she is the founder of the Builders Hub Impact Investment Program (BHIIP), an initiative focused on social entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
The political tension surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan intensified when she protested the reassignment of her Senate seat following a reshuffle triggered by opposition lawmakers switching to the majority camp. Her opposition to the move led to a heated exchange between her and Senate President Godswill Akpabio on February 20, 2025.
The Senate later referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review. According to Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu, her resistance was seen as “extreme intransigence,” and he stressed the need to uphold Senate decorum. Supporting this stance, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele reinforced that the legislative body would not tolerate actions that could undermine its integrity.
Senate President Akpabio, while addressing the issue, noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan may not have fully understood Senate procedural rules, as contributions are only permitted from assigned seats. He cited Order 66(2) and Section 55 of the Senate rules, which mandate decorum and prohibit actions such as chewing gum, drinking water, or being disruptive during sessions.
The controversy took a new turn when Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio on February 25, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court. The lawsuit, marked CV/737/25, also names the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Mfon Patrick (Senior Legislative Aide to the Senate President) as co-defendants.
The legal action stems from a Facebook post allegedly authored by Patrick and attributed to Akpabio’s office. The post, titled “Is the Local Content Committee of the Senate Natasha’s Birthright?”, included statements suggesting that Akpoti-Uduaghan was more focused on her appearance than her legislative duties, stating:
"It is bottled anger by the Kogi lawmaker, who knows nothing about legislative rules. She thinks being a lawmaker is all about pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the chambers."
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Victor Giwa, argued that the statements were defamatory, provocative, and demeaning, harming his client’s reputation both within the Senate and among the Nigerian public. The lawsuit demands the following:
A declaration that the statements are defamatory and intended to bring her into public ridicule.
A perpetual injunction restraining Akpabio and his associates from making further defamatory remarks.
₦100 billion in general damages and ₦300 million for litigation costs.
The Senate leadership has denied any gender bias in the controversy, with Akpabio asserting that other senior senators had accepted seat changes without protest. He emphasized that the Senate’s decision to review Akpoti-Uduaghan’s conduct was based solely on procedural violations, not discrimination.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters argue that her treatment highlights the challenges women face in Nigerian politics, particularly in a system where female lawmakers remain vastly underrepresented. The media attention surrounding the case has reignited discussions on gender inequality, power dynamics, and the institutional barriers that limit women’s political influence in Nigeria.
As the legal battle unfolds, the outcome of this case could set a significant precedent for how defamation suits involving high-ranking politicians are handled in Nigeria. Furthermore, it may influence future discourse on the role of women in governance and the broader fight for gender equality in the country’s political scenery.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s confrontation with the Senate leadership emphasizes deeper systemic issues within Nigeria’s political framework. Whether viewed as a matter of procedural discipline or a test of gender representation in politics, this case will undoubtedly shape future conversations about women’s participation in governance, legislative decorum, and political accountability.
With a defamation lawsuit in motion and a disciplinary review pending, the coming months will reveal how both the judiciary and the legislative body navigate this political storm. The outcome will not only affect Akpoti-Uduaghan’s career but may also impact how Nigerian women in politics are treated in the years to come.
Daniel Okonkwo Profile International Human Rights Advocate.
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