Akpabio: UN Parliament Speaks on Natasha's Allegation, Suspension, Video Trends
- Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan's appeal at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) acknowledgement by its president, Tulia Ackson
- Ackson stated that the UN union would take the necessary steps once the parliament hears from the other side of the matter
- Natasha, who was suspended by the Senate over an alleged violation of Senate rules, stated that she was suspended for submitting a sexual harassment petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio
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Tulia Ackson, the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), has assured the United Nations' body would take the necessary steps on the allegations the suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has raised against the Nigerian Senate and the Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The IPU president made the statement in a video seen by Legit.ng on Wednesday morning, March 12. Her reactions followed Natasha's appeal to the parliament and the United Nations (UN) to intervene in her suspension, which she said was unlawful.
Source: Twitter
Why Senate suspend Natasha
During the parliamentary session at the IPU meeting, Natasha, who was suspended over alleged violations of Senate standing rules, called for justice and asked the global democratic institutions to address what she described as political victimisation.
Senator Natasha recounted that she was at the parliament with a heavy heart while she apologised to her Nigerian counterparts. She noted that she was not there to bring shame to her country but to seek help for Nigerian women.
Natasha speaks on her suspension
She said she was illegally suspended on March 6, 2025, by the Senate because she submitted a petition on sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She added that she had hoped that submitting the petition would lead to a transparent investigation, but she was rather silenced and suspended.
Her statement reads in part:
“My suspension came with severe conditions: my security was withdrawn, my official vehicles and other entitlements were taken away, my salary was cut off, and I was barred from appearing near the National Assembly.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."
See Natasha's video here:
Natasha alleged political victimisation
She stressed that her suspension was a clear political victimisation and a systematic effort to exclude women from Nigeria's leadership realm. She maintained that if a senator can be treated in such a way, what would be the fate of ordinary Nigerian women in workplaces and universities.
The embattled senator stressed that her suspension was an affront to democracy, adding that it was a move to silence the voices of her constituents who elected her.
Reacting to the plea, the IPU president acknowledged the concerns Senator Natasha had raised and assured that the union would take action after listening to the other side of the story as well.
See the video of the IPU president's reaction here:
What is the IPU and why was it created?
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is a global organization of national parliaments established by the United Nations.
The IPU promotes democratic governance, institutions, and values by working with parliaments and parliamentarians to address the needs and aspirations of the people.
Its key areas of focus include:
- Peace and democracy
- Human rights
- Gender equality
- Youth empowerment
- Climate action
- Sustainable development
The IPU was founded in 1889, during a time when governments and parliaments had no established way to collaborate on international issues.
Two men from the 19th century—William Randal Cremer (England) and Frédéric Passy (France)—laid the foundation for what has become a major global organization today.
The IPU was created to resolve international disputes through peaceful arbitration rather than conflict.
While the IPU said it would hear from the other party before intervening, Legit.ng notes that Senator Salma Ataullahjan, a Canadian lawmaker of Pakistani Pashtun origin from Toronto and Chair of the Senate Human Rights Committee, has expressed solidarity with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Ataullahjan posted on X, sharing a photo from the IPU session:
"Stay strong, Natasha. @NatashaAkpoti. Your bravery for speaking out against sexual harassment is a powerful reminder that we must all continue to fight for a safer, more respectful world for everyone. #justicefornatasha."
Four times Natasha violated Senate standing rules
Legit.ng earlier reported that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was accused of violating the Senate standing rule consistently.
However, she claimed that her refusal of advances from Akpabio was the beginning of her challenges in the assembly.
While many called for a thorough investigation of the allegations, others have called for Senate orders to be respected.
Article updated with key information about IPU and Canadian Senator Salma Ataullahjan's reaction by the head of politics/CA desk, Nurudeen Lawal.
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Source: Legit.ng
