The President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Tulia Ackson, has assured suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, that necessary steps will be taken after a thorough review of both sides of the controversy surrounding her suspension.
Ackson made this statement in a video obtained by Vanguard on Wednesday, following Senator Natasha’s appeal to the IPU and the United Nations (UN) for intervention in what she described as an unjust and politically motivated suspension.
Speaking at the Women in Parliament session during the IPU meeting, Senator Natasha decried her suspension as an attack on democracy and gender representation in Nigerian politics.
Addressing the global parliamentary audience, Natasha recounted her ordeal, stating:
“I come with a heavy heart from Nigeria. But first, I’d like to apologize to honorable members—I am not here to bring shame to my country. I am here to seek help for the women of Nigeria.
“On March 6, 2025, I was illegally suspended as a senator for submitting a petition of sexual harassment against the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. I believed in due process, but instead, I was silenced and suspended.”
She further revealed the harsh conditions attached to her suspension, including the withdrawal of her security, seizure of official vehicles, loss of salary, and a six-month ban from representing herself as a senator both locally and internationally.
“This is a clear case of political victimization and a systematic effort to exclude women from leadership in Nigeria,” she declared, emphasizing the broader implications for Nigerian women facing discrimination in workplaces and educational institutions.
In response, IPU President Tulia Ackson acknowledged the seriousness of Natasha’s claims and assured that the parliamentary body would conduct a balanced review.
“We have heard her concerns, and as an institution, we will take necessary steps after listening to the other side, in line with our custom at IPU,” Ackson stated.
She also noted that a Nigerian delegate had requested to speak on the matter but was unable to due to time constraints, reinforcing the IPU’s commitment to fairness in addressing the issue.
The IPU’s decision to evaluate both perspectives suggests that further developments are expected as the matter undergoes scrutiny. With international attention now focused on the case, the outcome could have significant implications for parliamentary integrity, gender equality, and democratic governance in Nigeria.
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