The President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Tulia Ackson, has assured Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a suspended lawmaker from Nigeria, that the IPU will address her case after reviewing all sides of the issue.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had appealed to the IPU and the United Nations (UN) for intervention, claiming her suspension was unjust and stemmed from her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
During the Women in Parliament session at the IPU meeting in the United States, she called for international support against what she described as political victimization.
“I am here to seek assistance for the women of Nigeria,” Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan stated at the session. “I was illegally suspended as a senator for submitting a petition of sexual harassment against the President of the Nigerian Senate. Instead of a fair investigation, I was silenced.”
She detailed the severe consequences of her suspension, including the withdrawal of her security, official vehicles, and entitlements, as well as the termination of her salary and a ban from the National Assembly premises. “This is a clear case of political victimization and an attempt to exclude women from leadership in Nigeria,” she asserted.
The senator argued that her suspension was an attack on democracy and an effort to silence her constituents.
In response, IPU President Ackson, in a video statement, acknowledged the senator’s concerns and promised that the IPU would take appropriate action after hearing from all parties involved.
“We have heard her concerns,” Ackson stated. “As an institution, the IPU will consider the concerns raised, not only from her perspective but also by giving a chance to listen to the other side, as is customary for the IPU. After listening to all sides, we will take necessary steps.”
Ackson also noted that a Nigerian delegate had requested to speak but was unable to due to time constraints. She reiterated that the IPU would thoroughly examine the matter before making a decision, indicating the organization’s commitment to due process.
