Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has alleged that plans are underway for her arrest upon her return to Nigeria following her attendance at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York.
According to PREMIUM TIMES, Natasha believes her speech addressing sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio has triggered threats against her. She reported that after her address at the UN, three officials from the Nigerian Embassy, led by the Chargé d’Affaires, attempted to evacuate her from the venue. However, she credited her intervention to parliamentarians from other countries and security personnel who prevented her removal.
Natasha clarified the controversies surrounding her attendance, stating she independently registered for the conference as a senator and secured accreditation through the IPU’s mailing list from her previous participation. She also mentioned that she funded her trip herself after receiving written approval, despite not having any official permit from Nigeria.
“I registered online as a senator. My suspension does not negate my legitimacy. I attended the same program last year and was already on the mailing list. After receiving a pass, I purchased my own ticket and funded my trip,” she explained.
This was not Natasha’s first IPU event. In March 2024, she accompanied Senate President Akpabio to the 148th IPU General Assembly in Geneva as part of Nigeria’s official delegation, alongside Cross River South Senator Ekpenyong Asuquo and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu. During the Geneva assembly, Akpabio advocated for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and unrestricted access to humanitarian aid.
Discussing her recent attendance, Natasha linked her participation to her past engagement with the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and her previous involvement in the IPU. She emphasized that the event is open to individuals and civil society organizations, not just government officials.
Traveling on her ordinary Nigerian passport, not an official one, Natasha referred to her six-month Senate suspension—prohibiting her from identifying as a senator—as illegal. She asserted that she attended the IPU meeting in her official capacity, representing her constituents.
Reports indicate that Nigeria’s internal and external intelligence agencies have launched an investigation into how Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan attended the IPU meeting without official nomination from Nigeria. According to high-ranking officials, the probe aims to determine how she gained access, who facilitated her trip and accreditation, and whether her attendance was intended to embarrass Nigeria.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent controversies include allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Akpabio and her suspension from the Nigerian Senate for misconduct. The investigation by the State Security Service (SSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) is focused on whether she obtained unauthorized credentials and if her statements misrepresented Nigeria’s official stance.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Complaint to the IPU
Earlier, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan reported her Senate suspension and her case against Akpabio to the IPU, describing the Senate’s actions as “illegal” and indicative of the challenges faced by women in Nigeria. She stated, “I am not here to bring shame to my country; I am here to help the women of our country.”
She recounted, “On March 6, I was suspended as a senator—illegally—because I submitted a petition of sexual harassment against Senate President Akpabio. I believed that submission would lead to a fair investigation, but instead, I was silenced and suspended under strict conditions.”
Her suspension included the withdrawal of her security detail, removal of officials working with her, salary cuts, and a prohibition from introducing herself as a senator. “This situation highlights the reality of women’s rights in political representation. My suspension is not just about me; women make up only 2.8% of the Senate,” she added.
In response to her UN conference complaint, IPU President Tulia Ackson pledged to take necessary steps regarding her suspension, noting that the Senate leadership would be given the opportunity to present its side before any decisions are made.
Nigerian Senate’s Response
In response to her allegations at the UN conference, the Nigerian Senate issued a letter, read by Honorable Kafilat Ogbara, Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, refuting the claims. Ogbara was representing Nigeria at the IPU in an official capacity.
