The President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Tulia Ackson, has assured Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central at the national assembly that necessary steps will be taken after considering both sides of the issue surrounding her suspension.
Ackson gave the assurance in a video sighted by News Band after Senator Natasha’s appeal to the IPU and the United Nations (UN) for intervention in what she described as an unjust suspension from the Senate.
While speaking at the Women in Parliament session during the IPU meeting on Tuesday, the Kogi lawmaker recounted her ordeal, stating that her suspension was politically motivated and aimed at silencing her.
“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,” she said.
Natasha alleged that she was arbitrarily suspended from the Senate following a petition she submitted against the Senate President Godswill Akpabio over allegations of sexual harassment.
“I believed that submitting the petition would lead to a fair and transparent investigation, but instead, I was silenced and suspended,” she lamented.
She noted that the sanctions imposed on her were severe, including withdrawal of security, seizure of official vehicles, stoppage of salary, and a restriction barring her from the National Assembly premises.
“For six months, I am not allowed to present myself as a senator, either locally or internationally,” she stated.
The lawmaker described her suspension as a calculated attempt to gag women’s participation in leadership, urging global democratic institutions to intervene.
“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,” she added.
However, in response, Ackson acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and assured that the IPU would follow due process by hearing both sides before taking a position.
“We have heard her concerns, and as an institution, we will be taking the necessary steps. However, it is important that we also listen to the other side before making any decisions, as is our custom at the IPU,” Ackson stated.