IPU Assures Natasha: “We’ll Take Action After Hearing Both Sides,”

The President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Tulia Ackson, has assured suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, that action will be taken after hearing from the other parties involved in her suspension case.

She presented her case during the IPU meeting held at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Tuesday, March 11.

During the Women in Parliament session at the IPU meeting, Senator Natasha appealed for justice and called on global democratic institutions to address what she described as political victimization.

Speaking at the session, Natasha recounted her ordeal, stating: “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“My suspension came with severe conditions: my security was withdrawn, my official vehicles and other entitlements were taken away, my salary was cut off, and I was barred from appearing near the National Assembly.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 victimization 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.”

Natasha emphasized that her suspension was an “assault on democracy,” arguing that the move aimed to silence the voices of her constituents who elected her.

In a video released on Wednesday, March 12, IPU President Tulia Ackson acknowledged the concerns raised and assured that the IPU would take action after hearing from the other parties involved.

Her words: “Dear colleagues, there was I 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 had 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 had 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.”