The Nigerian Senate has clarified to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) that the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was due to gross misconduct and unruly behaviour, not as a result of allegations of sexual harassment as she had claimed.

Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, made the clarification while reading a statement on behalf of the Senate by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele.Ogbara said the statement was in response to “deliberate misinformation and false narratives” circulating in the media, stressing that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension followed a report by the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, which found her guilty of violating several sections of the Senate Rules.

She said the National Assembly tasked her with delivering the response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s remarks at the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.“In response to the call by the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Right Honorable Tulia Ackson to hear both sides of the matter, I have received a letter from the Nigerian Senate in my capacity as Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development of our parliament in Nigeria and the parliamentarian representing Nigeria at this conference,” she said.

“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for gross misconduct and unruly behaviour and not as a result of allegations of sexual harassment or assault.