Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has provided a detailed explanation of how she attended the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York, despite not being officially nominated by the Nigerian government. The senator’s participation in the meeting has sparked controversy, especially given her ongoing suspension from the Nigerian Senate. However, Akpoti-Uduaghan maintains that her attendance was legitimate and made possible through her previous engagement with the IPU.
In an exclusive interview with Premium Times on Sunday, the senator clarified that she was able to attend the IPU meeting by registering online as a senator. She explained that, despite her suspension from the Senate, her past attendance at IPU events had placed her on the organization’s mailing list, granting her accreditation to participate in the conference.
“I registered online as a senator. The suspension does not remove my legitimacy as a senator. I registered online, got a pass, and attended the same program last year. After I received my pass, I bought my own ticket and funded my trip to New York,” she told Premium Times.
This is not the first time the senator has attended an IPU event. Earlier in March 2024, she accompanied the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to the 148th IPU General Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, as part of Nigeria’s official delegation. At that assembly, Akpabio had called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and advocated for the release of hostages trapped in the conflict zone.
According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, her attendance at the IPU event was made possible through her previous participation in a meeting organized by the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). She also highlighted that IPU events are not restricted to government officials but are open to individuals and civil society organizations.
“I travelled to New York with my ordinary Nigerian passport, not with an official one,” she added, clearing any confusion over her use of government resources. Her clear separation from the Nigerian government’s formal delegation to the IPU has been one of the contentious points in the discussion surrounding her attendance.
Despite her suspension from the Senate, which restricts her from identifying as a senator during the period of her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted that she attended the IPU meeting in her official capacity and spoke as a legitimate representative of her people.
The senator has described her suspension as illegal, arguing that it should not negate her status as an elected senator. However, the Senate has explicitly prohibited her from presenting herself as a senator both within Nigeria and internationally while the suspension is in effect.
“My attendance at the IPU meeting was in my capacity as an elected representative of my people,” she explained. “I have the right to represent my people, and this suspension cannot take away my legitimacy.”
During the interview, Akpoti-Uduaghan also raised concerns about alleged plans to have her arrested upon her return to Nigeria. She claimed that, following her speech at the IPU event, the Senate President, Akpabio, had sent three staff members, including the Chargé d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in New York, to evacuate her from the United Nations premises.
“I was rescued by parliamentarians from other countries and security personnel,” she said, alleging that there were attempts to remove her from the event. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims have not been confirmed by the Senate President, and his spokesperson, Eseme Eyiboh, has yet to respond to inquiries regarding these accusations.
In the wake of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s appearance at the IPU meeting, the Nigerian government has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her participation. The investigation, involving the State Security Service (SSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), is focused on how the senator managed to attend the international meeting without the approval of the Nigerian government.
High-ranking sources within the Nigerian government, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the investigation will also explore who facilitated Akpoti-Uduaghan’s trip and accreditation and whether her participation was part of a broader agenda to embarrass Nigeria and its government on the international stage.
“Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan did not follow the required diplomatic protocols before gaining access to the IPU meeting,” said one government official, stressing that her attendance at the March 11 meeting raised questions about her motivations and the broader political implications.
At the IPU meeting, Akpoti-Uduaghan made headlines by addressing her suspension from the Nigerian Senate, describing it as politically motivated. She claimed that her suspension was a response to her outspoken criticism of corruption and misconduct in the legislative chamber. Additionally, she made serious allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, further complicating the political dynamics within Nigeria’s Senate.
The allegations made at the IPU meeting have raised eyebrows, as they represent a public challenge to the authority of the Senate President. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s comments at the international forum have prompted further political debates and added fuel to the fire of her ongoing feud with Senate leadership.
As the government’s investigation into her attendance continues, the political landscape in Nigeria remains tense, particularly regarding the legitimacy of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions. While the investigation proceeds, the senator has made it clear that she will continue to stand by her actions and her right to represent her constituents.
“I will continue to speak the truth and represent my people,” Akpoti-Uduaghan affirmed. “No suspension or political intimidation can silence me. My people have entrusted me with this responsibility, and I will not be deterred.”
For now, the outcome of the government’s investigation and the political fallout from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attendance at the IPU meeting remain uncertain. However, one thing is clear—her actions have sparked a wider conversation about accountability, political power, and the role of legislators in Nigeria.
As the government seeks to address the concerns raised by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s participation in the global forum, questions about her suspension and the broader political dynamics in Nigeria’s Senate will likely continue to take center stage.
