DSS, NIA Investigate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Attendance at IPU Meeting
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The Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) have launched an investigation into how Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, attended the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York without an official nomination.
Sources indicate the probe aims to determine how she obtained accreditation, who facilitated her participation, and whether her attendance was intended to embarrass the Nigerian government.
The IPU, a global organization of national parliaments, mandates that member countries officially nominate their delegates for meetings. However, Akpoti-Uduaghan reportedly attended the event without authorization.
The Senate’s complaint triggered the joint DSS and NIA investigation, focusing on whether she gained access through unauthorized credentials or external facilitators. The inquiry also seeks to establish if her participation violated IPU regulations or National Assembly protocols.
Senate Suspension and Sexual Harassment Allegation
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attendance at the IPU meeting follows her recent suspension from the Senate for “gross misconduct,” stemming from a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements in the chamber. The senator later accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, claiming her suspension was a retaliatory move to silence her.
Speaking at the IPU meeting on March 11, Akpoti-Uduaghan raised concerns over her suspension, prompting the IPU to state that it would address the issue and listen to all parties involved.
In response, Kafilat Ogbara, Nigeria’s representative at the IPU meeting and chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, countered Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims, stating that her suspension was not linked to the allegations against Akpabio.
FixPolitics Condemns Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension
Meanwhile, governance advocacy group FixPolitics has strongly condemned the Senate’s decision to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing it as a threat to democracy, gender inclusion, and the rule of law.
The group argued that the suspension effectively disenfranchises the people of Kogi Central, violating their constitutional right to representation. Executive Director Dr. Anthony Ubani cited past judicial precedents, including Senator Ali Ndume v. Senate of Nigeria (2018) and Senator Dino Melaye v. Senate of Nigeria (2016), which ruled against suspending lawmakers in ways that deny their constituents representation.
“The Senate’s repeated defiance of these rulings raises serious concerns about its commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative processes,” FixPolitics stated.
The group further criticized the move as part of systemic barriers faced by Nigerian women in politics. It pointed out that female representation in the Senate has dropped from seven in the 9th Assembly to just four in the 10th Assembly, warning that such actions could discourage women from political participation.
“As a signatory to CEDAW, the Maputo Protocol, and SDG 5, Nigeria is obligated to promote gender inclusion in governance. This decision contradicts that commitment and reinforces exclusion,” FixPolitics stated.
The group also stressed that the conduct of public officials is under global scrutiny in today’s interconnected world and called for a legislative environment free from harassment and undue reprisal.
FixPolitics demanded Akpoti-Uduaghan’s immediate reinstatement, urging civil society organizations, human rights advocates, and the public to oppose the Senate’s actions.
“We will continue to monitor this situation closely and support all efforts that promote justice, equity, and the protection of democratic values in Nigeria,” the statement concluded.
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