According to Punch, Tulia Ackson, the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), has assured the embattled Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, that due process will be adhered to in addressing the concerns related to her suspension from the Nigerian Senate.
Ackson’s assurance came after Akpoti-Uduaghan appealed to the IPU and the United Nations for intervention, describing her suspension as unjust.
The IPU president’s response was delivered during a Women in Parliament session at an IPU meeting on Tuesday.
In her address, Akpoti-Uduaghan shared the details of her situation, emphasizing that her suspension was politically motivated and was part of a strategy to silence her.
She began by expressing her sorrow, stating, “I come with a heavy heart from Nigeria. But first, I’d like to apologise to honourable members—I am not here to bring shame to my country. I am here to seek help for the women of Nigeria.”
The senator further revealed that her suspension followed a petition she had submitted against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in which she accused him of sexual harassment.
She expressed disillusionment with the outcome of the petition, saying, “I thought submitting the petition would result in a fair and transparent investigation, but instead, I was silenced and suspended.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan also highlighted the harsh consequences of her suspension, which included the withdrawal of her security details, the confiscation of official vehicles, the cessation of her salary, and a ban on her entering the National Assembly premises.
“For six months, I am prohibited from presenting myself as a senator, both within the country and abroad,” she explained.
The senator described her suspension as part of a broader pattern aimed at limiting women’s participation in leadership roles in Nigeria.
She urged global democratic bodies to take action, arguing that her treatment was an example of political victimization designed to marginalize women in leadership.
Akpoti-Uduaghan stated, “This is a blatant example of political persecution and a deliberate attempt to exclude women from leadership roles in Nigeria. If a female senator can be treated this way openly, it’s unimaginable how ordinary Nigerian women are treated daily in workplaces and universities.”
In response to her appeal, Tulia Ackson acknowledged the seriousness of the issue at hand. She assured Akpoti-Uduaghan that the IPU would follow the appropriate procedures, emphasizing that both sides of the issue must be heard before any action is taken.
“We have acknowledged her concerns, and as an organization, we will take the appropriate actions. However, it is crucial that we hear the opposing side before making any decisions, as is the standard practice at the IPU,” Ackson said.
Additionally, Ackson mentioned that a Nigerian delegate who was present at the session had intended to speak on the matter but was unable to do so due to time limitations.
This remark highlighted the ongoing nature of the discussions surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension and the need for thorough consideration of all perspectives.
The IPU’s decision to evaluate the situation from all angles indicates that the case will undergo further scrutiny as the global parliamentary body deliberates on the appropriate course of action.
This development signals that more information and decisions may emerge as the IPU works to ensure a fair resolution to the issue.
