IPU President Tulia Ackson Assures Fair Review of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension Appeal

Written on 12/03/2025
Vanguard NG

The President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Tulia Ackson, has assured suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, that her appeal will be carefully reviewed, considering all sides of the issue surrounding her suspension from the Nigerian Senate.

Ackson made this statement in a video obtained by Vanguard on Wednesday, following Senator Natasha’s formal appeal to both the IPU and the United Nations (UN) for intervention. She described her suspension as politically motivated retaliation for filing a sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Speaking at the Women in Parliament session at the IPU meeting, Senator Natasha urged global democratic institutions to intervene and ensure justice.

“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 stated.

She further explained: “On the 6th of March 2025, I was illegally suspended as a senator for submitting a petition of sexual harassment against the President of the Nigerian Senate. I believed that submitting the petition would lead to a fair and transparent investigation, but instead, I was silenced and suspended.”

Following her appeal, IPU President Tulia Ackson reassured her that the matter would be reviewed thoroughly and that necessary steps would be taken to uphold democratic integrity and fairness.

 


“My suspension came with severe conditions: my security was withdrawn, my official vehicles and other entitlements were taken away, my salary was cut off, and I was barred from appearing near the National Assembly.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, stating that the move sought to silence the voices of her constituents who elected her.

Responding to Natasha’s plea, IPU President Tulia Ackson acknowledged the concerns raised and assured that IPU would take action after listening to the other side.

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