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 considering both sides on the issue surrounding her suspension.
LEADERSHIP reports that Senator Natasha appealed to the IPU and the United Nations (UN) for intervention in what she described as an unjust suspension following her altercations with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
During the Women in Parliament session at the IPU meeting in the United States, Senator Natasha called for justice and urged global democratic institutions to address what she termed as political victimisation.
At the session, Natasha pleaded, “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.
“Five days ago, on the 6th of March 2025, I was illegally suspended as a senator because I submitted a petition of sexual harassment against the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. I believed that submitting the petition would lead to a fair and transparent investigation, but instead, I was silenced and suspended.
“My suspension came with severe conditions: my security was withdrawn, my official vehicles and other entitlements were taken away, my salary was cut off, and I was barred from appearing near the National Assembly. For six months, I am not allowed to present myself as a senator, either locally or internationally.
“This is a clear case of political victimisation and a systematic effort to exclude women from leadership in Nigeria. If a female senator can be treated this way in full public view, imagine what ordinary Nigerian women face every day in workplaces and universities.”
The lawmaker emphasised that her suspension was an assault on democracy, stating that the move sought to silence the voices of her constituents who elected her.
Ackson, via a video obtained by reporters, acknowledged the concerns raised and assured that IPU would take action after listening to the other side.
“Dear colleagues, there was a matter before I closed the meeting, there was a matter that arose during the first session which we had this morning, the matter that was raised by our colleague from Nigeria, Senator Natasha. And because all of us heard what she said and it only serves us better if I put a word in what she has said. So I would like to say we have.
“We have heard her concerns and having heard her, it would have been an opportunity for all of us to understand more about what she has said. But because we listened only on her side as an institution, as IPU, we will be taking the concerns that have been raised, not only taking her side but also giving a chance to listen to the other side as it is a custom for IPU and after having listened to the other side, we will take steps as necessary. So I thought it was necessary for us to say a word about it and then be able to take it further.
“So we have taken the concerns that she raised and we will be working on them, of course, having listened to the other side and we will be able to take steps after that. I also recognise the fact that our Nigerian delegate who is here had requested the floor but because of time she wasn’t given a chance to speak. But like I said, we have heard the concerns that have been raised by Senator Natash,” she said.
She assured the Assembly that the IPU would consider all viewpoints before making a decision, indicating that the global parliamentary body is poised for further development as it assesses the issue.
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