– FixPolitics Condemns Suspension, Calls It a Threat to Democracy
Nigeria’s intelligence agencies, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), have launched an investigation into how Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan attended the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York without an official nomination.
Reports indicate that the probe aims to determine how she gained accreditation, who facilitated her trip, and whether her participation was intended to embarrass the Nigerian government.
How the Controversy Began
The IPU, a global organization of national parliaments, requires official delegation nominations from member countries. However, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan reportedly attended the meeting without approval.
This has sparked concerns within the Senate, prompting intelligence agencies to investigate whether she obtained credentials fraudulently or if external forces enabled her participation.
Tensions Rise Over Allegations Against Senate President
The controversy surrounding Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan deepened after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. This accusation followed an altercation over seating arrangements in the Senate chamber.
Shortly after, she was suspended for “gross misconduct,” a move that many believe was politically motivated. At the IPU meeting on March 11, the senator claimed her suspension was a direct attempt to silence her over the harassment allegations.
FixPolitics Condemns Suspension, Calls It Undemocratic
A civic group, FixPolitics, has strongly criticized the Senate’s decision to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan, calling it a violation of democratic principles and gender inclusion.
“The Senate has effectively silenced an elected representative and disenfranchised the people of Kogi Central,” said Dr. Anthony Ubani, Executive Director of FixPolitics.
The group also referenced previous court rulings that barred the National Assembly from suspending lawmakers in a way that denies their constituents representation.
FixPolitics further warned that the suspension reflects a deeper issue of misogyny in Nigerian politics, as female representation in the Senate has declined significantly in recent years.
Call for Reinstatement and Fair Investigation
FixPolitics has demanded the immediate reinstatement of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, urging the Senate to respect democratic values and legal precedents. The group has also called on civil society organizations, human rights activists, and the Nigerian public to resist political oppression.
As the DSS and NIA continue their probe, the outcome could have significant implications for both Nigeria’s political landscape and the fight for gender equality in governance.
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