The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has vowed to investigate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from the Nigerian Senate, ensuring a fair review of the sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by the suspended Senator.
IPU Promises Fair Review
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has pledged to investigate the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Nigerian Senate, following concerns she raised at an IPU meeting in New York.
During the meeting held at the United Nations headquarters, Akpoti-Uduaghan informed the union that she was suspended from the Senate on March 6, 2025, allegedly for filing a petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. She described her suspension as illegal and retaliatory, stating that she had expected an impartial investigation rather than punitive action against her.
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IPU President Tulia Ackson acknowledged the senator’s concerns and assured that the organization would investigate both sides of the matter before taking any necessary steps. She emphasized the importance of fairness and due process, reiterating that the peace union would also hear from other relevant parties, including Nigerian delegate Kafilat Ogbara, who was unable to speak due to time constraints.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension stemmed from an altercation over seating arrangements in the Nigerian Senate, which escalated into a larger dispute. The senator claimed that her suspension was politically motivated and a direct response to her sexual harassment petition against Akpabio. Following the suspension, she was stripped of her security detail, official vehicles, and other senatorial privileges.
The Inter-parliamentary Union, known for advocating democratic principles and the independence of national parliaments, has now taken interest in the case, raising hopes for an impartial review.
The IPU has assured that it will carefully examine all sides of the issue before making a decision. As a global organization committed to strengthening democracy, it aims to uphold the integrity of parliamentary institutions while ensuring that all voices are heard fairly.
Observers are keen to see how the investigation unfolds and whether the Nigerian Senate will respond to international scrutiny. Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan continues to advocate for justice, urging the IPU and other international bodies to protect democratic rights and parliamentary integrity.
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