105 Men, Only 4 Women: The Nigerian Senate’s Brutal Attack on Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Women’s Human Rights—The World Must Demand Justice, Reverse the Suspension, and Punish the Perpetrators -By John Egbeazien Oshodi

The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is not merely an internal political maneuver—it is a direct assault on human rights, a deliberate suppression of women’s political participation, and a violation of Nigeria’s international commitments to democracy, gender equality, and freedom of expression. With only four women among 109 senators, the 10th Senate has demonstrated that it is not only male-dominated but openly hostile to women who refuse to conform to political submission.

This is not just about Natasha; it is about the broader attack on women in leadership. The Nigerian Senate has weaponized suspension, financial deprivation, and political exclusion to serve as a warning to all women: if you challenge power, you will be removed. But this is not merely a national crisis; it is a global human rights issue that must be examined through the lens of international laws and treaties Nigeria has signed but is now violating.

The Main Abusers of Women’s Rights in the Nigerian SenateAt the forefront of this violation are Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Majority Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, both of whom played key roles in orchestrating the suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. These men have not only overseen a hostile legislative environment for women but have also used their positions to enforce political suppression against those who refuse to conform.

Under their leadership, the Senate has been transformed into a battleground where women in leadership face systemic persecution, isolation, and intimidation. The Nigerian Senate has become a glaring example of entrenched patriarchal control, where male dominance is reinforced by silencing the few female voices in power.

Violation of Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights: The Right to Political ParticipationThe African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), ratified by Nigeria, explicitly guarantees the right of citizens to participate freely in the governance of their country. Article 13 states:

“Every citizen shall have the right to participate freely in the government of his country, either directly or through freely chosen representatives in accordance with the provisions of the law.”

By suspending a sitting senator without just cause, the Nigerian Senate has robbed the people of Kogi Central of their constitutional right to representation. This is a direct violation of Article 13, which protects not just individual political figures but the right of the people to be governed by their chosen representatives.

Furthermore, this suspension was not based on any corruption charges, criminal activity, or ethical violations—it was simply punishment for speaking out. The decision to remove her salary, isolate her from parliamentary duties, and restrict her ability to represent her people is a violation of the core democratic principles outlined in the African Charter.

If Nigeria truly respects the African Charter, this suspension must be reversed immediately, and the right to political participation must be upheld.

Violation of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)Nigeria is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which explicitly prohibits any action that limits or restricts women’s participation in political and public life. Article 7 of CEDAW states:

“States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the political and public life of the country and, in particular, shall ensure to women, on equal terms with men, the right: (a) To vote in all elections and public referenda and to be eligible for election to all publicly elected bodies; (b) To participate in the formulation of government policy and the implementation thereof and to hold public office and perform all public functions at all levels of government.”

The suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is a clear violation of CEDAW because it deliberately targets and excludes a woman from active participation in governance. The Nigerian government has a legal obligation to promote and protect women’s access to public office—not to punish them for exercising their rights.

This action by the Senate sets a dangerous precedent—if allowed to stand, it signals that Nigeria’s leadership is comfortable violating international commitments whenever it suits them.

The Psychological Impact: Trauma, Suppression, and the Message to Nigerian Women and GirlsThis act of political suppression is not just a legal violation—it is a calculated psychological assault on women in Nigeria. The message is clear: women who dare to rise will be torn down.

The psychological trauma of political suppression is profound. In a country of over 200 million people, with only 4 women in a Senate of 109, this reality is not just traumatic—it is terrifying, brutal, evil, and oppressive. This is not just an imbalance; it is a calculated effort to keep women out of power. The Nigerian Senate’s decision to suspend Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan sends a chilling message to young Nigerian girls aspiring to leadership—their dreams are not valid, their voices do not matter, and they will never be allowed to stand on equal ground with men.

This act of suppression does not just remove one woman from office—it reinforces a culture of fear, self-doubt, and submission. Women who have already struggled against systemic barriers will now hesitate to step into the political arena, not only because of the challenges of governance, but because they know that humiliation, economic strangulation, and ostracization await any woman who refuses to conform. This is not just political exclusion; this is psychological warfare designed to keep women powerless.

This incident is part of a broader psychological attack on women’s agency. The Senate’s decision echoes the trauma many Nigerian women face daily—in workplaces, in politics, and in society—where they are silenced, undermined, and stripped of power. The emotional and psychological cost of this cannot be overstated: depression, anxiety, and political disengagement will rise, as women internalize the belief that their voices are unwanted in leadership.

International Organizations and Superpowers That Must InterveneWomen’s rights organizations, human rights groups, and superpower nations must hold Nigeria accountable for its violations. Some of the key organizations that should intervene include:

United Nations Women (UN Women)

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)

Human Rights Watch (HRW)

Amnesty International

The Global Fund for Women

African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET)

The European Union’s Human Rights Commission

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

These organizations must issue public condemnations, demand Nigeria’s compliance with international treaties, and initiate legal actions where possible.

The Nigerian Senate Must Reverse This Suspension—Or Be Held AccountableSERAP (Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project) has already issued a legal ultimatum to Senate President Akpabio to reverse this suspension within 48 hours or face legal action. Their warning is clear: this is an unlawful suspension that violates both Nigerian constitutional rights and internationally recognized legal frameworks.

The world is watching. The Nigerian Senate cannot claim to uphold democracy while actively violating the most fundamental principles of human rights. This is no longer just about Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan—this is about whether Nigeria respects its obligations under global agreements or whether it chooses to operate outside the framework of accountability.

Legal action must be taken on both national and international levels. Women’s rights organizations, international human rights bodies, and civil society groups must escalate this issue to the United Nations, the African Union, and global courts of human rights.

If this injustice is allowed to stand, it sends a chilling message: that women in Nigeria will always be second-class citizens in governance, that dissent will be punished, and that international commitments are meaningless.

But let this be known—she will come back, and she will still talk. The truth cannot be buried, and history will not be kind to those who stood against justice.

This is not just a political matter; this is a fight for the soul of democracy in Nigeria.

John Egbeazien Oshodi

Oshodi Open Door, also known as Oshodi Open Door Public Training (OOPDT, pronounced opidt), is a public awareness initiative promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity in Africa through educational articles and resources at jos5930458@aol.com, and offers specialized Timely Response Solutions (TRS) training at minimal or no cost.

Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi is an American psychologist, educator, author specializing in forensic clinical psychology, cross-cultural psychology, police prison science, social justice. Born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, he is the son of a 37-year veteran of the Nigeria Police Force, a background that shaped his commitment to justice, security, psychological research.

A pioneer in forensic psychology, he introduced state-of-the-art forensic psychology to Nigeria in 2011 through the National Universities Commission (NUC) Nasarawa State University, where he served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology. His contributions extend beyond academia into psychological health behavioral change initiatives through the Oshodi Foundation the Center for Psychological Forensic Services.

Professor Oshodi has held faculty positions at Florida Memorial University, Florida International University, Broward College, Nova Southeastern University, Lynn University. He is also a contributing faculty member in the doctoral undergraduate psychology programs at Walden University serves as a virtual professor with Weldios University and Iscom University.

Beyond academia, he is a government consultant for forensic-clinical psychological services in the USA previously served as Interim Associate Dean Assistant Professor at Broward College, Florida.

He has published extensively on mental health, justice, institutional reform is the founder of the Psychoafricalysis theory, which integrates African sociocultural perspectives into psychology.

Professor Oshodi remains an influential force in advancing psychology institutional reform globally, particularly in Africa.