It may seem as though the controversy between Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio may not be getting off the news anytime soon.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has been thrust into the center of a growing political storm following Nigerian Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s appeal for intervention over her suspension from the Senate.
By taking her case beyond Nigeria’s borders, the embattled senator has positioned the IPU as a potential arbiter in a controversy that touches on political victimisation, gender representation, and legislative ethics.
Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken her case beyond Nigeria, seeking international intervention.
On Tuesday, the embattled senator officially brought her case before the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in New York, accusing Akpabio of victimisation following her six-month suspension from the Senate.
Addressing the Women in Parliament session at the United Nations in New York, she alleged that her suspension was unjust and linked to her petition against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio for alleged sexual harassment.
In an emotional speech, the senator called for global democratic institutions to intervene, describing her removal from the Senate as unlawful and part of a broader effort to silence women in Nigerian politics.
“I was suspended illegally because I submitted a petition for sexual harassment against the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. I thought that by submitting the petition, he would recuse himself and both of us would submit ourselves to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition for a fair, transparent investigation. But unfortunately, I was silenced and I was suspended.”
“That means I’m here illegally, but I have no other place to go but to come here and speak to you because this is a bigger picture. This is a bigger picture. It depicts the crisis of women’s political representation. My suspension is not just about me. It’s about the systemic exclusion of women from political leadership in Nigeria,” she said.
Fears for her safety
Following her address, the senator voiced concerns about potential retaliation, alleging that powerful figures in Nigeria might attempt to detain her in New York for speaking out at the global forum.
Background on her suspension
In March, the Nigerian Senate announced Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension based on recommendations from its Committee on Ethics, Rules, and Code of Conduct. As part of the disciplinary action, she was barred from entering the National Assembly, prohibited from referring to herself as a senator, and denied her salary for the duration of the suspension.
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Despite these sanctions, she remains resolute in her fight against what she calls an “injustice.” Meanwhile, Senate President Akpabio has denied all allegations, insisting he has never engaged in any form of harassment against women.
What to Expect from the IPU
In any similar case where a parliamentarian like Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan brings forth allegations of misconduct and faces suspension, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has some established mechanisms to address such issues.
In many cases, the IPU examines complaints through its Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians. This committee is dedicated to protecting legislators worldwide from violations of their rights. Complaints can be submitted by the concerned parliamentarian, their colleagues, or human rights organisations. The committee then assesses the admissibility of the complaint, ensuring it falls within its mandate.
Upon accepting a complaint, the IPU can initiate discussions with the national parliament and relevant authorities to seek clarification and resolution. It can also dispatch delegations to the country in question to gather firsthand information and facilitate dialogue or issue public statements or resolutions to raise awareness and pressure for a fair resolution. The union can further offer support to parliaments in reforming laws or procedures to prevent future rights violations.
These measures aim to ensure that the rights of parliamentarians are upheld and that any allegations are addressed transparently.
However, while the IPU can amplify Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case on the international stage, it does not have enforcement powers over Nigeria’s sovereign legislative processes. Its effectiveness largely depends on diplomatic pressure and the willingness of national authorities to cooperate.
Will Akpabio get a right of reply?
Despite the global attention Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case is receiving, IPU President Tulia Ackson has assured that the organisation would take necessary steps but only after hearing both sides of the issue. She emphasised the importance of procedural fairness, meaning that Akpabio will also have an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
This reflects the IPU’s standard approach of ensuring a balanced and comprehensive investigation rather than making unilateral judgments.
A defining moment for women in Nigerian politics?
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case could set a precedent for how allegations of misconduct, especially those involving high-ranking politicians, are handled in Nigeria’s male-dominated political system. Her fight is not just for personal justice but highlights the challenges faced by women in governance, particularly in Nigeria, where female political representation remains low.
The coming weeks will reveal whether international pressure, through the IPU and other democratic institutions, will influence Nigeria’s handling of the case—or whether Akpoti-Uduaghan will continue to face political isolation. One thing is clear: she has ensured that her voice, and by extension, the voices of many women, will not be easily ignored.
