The camp of Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed the authority of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to compel him to appear before its panel regarding the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the National Assembly.
In an exclusive interview with ‘The PUNCH’ on Wednesday, Akpabio’s media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, rejected the IPU’s involvement, stating that the matter was an internal parliamentary issue and the Senate President could not be forced to honor an invitation from the organization.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is serving a six-month suspension from the Senate, had accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of power. On Tuesday, she appeared before the IPU, a United Nations agency, to file a complaint against the Nigerian Senate and Akpabio.
After reviewing her case, the IPU expressed the need to hear from Akpabio before taking a position. IPU President, Tulia Ackson, assured that necessary steps would be taken after hearing both sides, emphasizing procedural fairness.
Eyiboh, however, argued that the IPU lacked the authority to intervene in Nigeria’s internal affairs.
He accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of contempt for disregarding a court order and further asserted that her actions were an attempt to tarnish Nigeria’s image internationally.
He also questioned why she had approached the IPU after going to court, suggesting that her actions were sub judice. When asked if Akpoti-Uduaghan would face further sanctions for her behavior, Eyiboh refrained from speculating.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 following a confrontation with Akpabio over a new seating arrangement, which she claimed was intended to undermine her.
The situation escalated when she accused Akpabio of politically victimizing her for rejecting his alleged sexual advances during a television interview.
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During her appearance at the IPU’s Women in Parliament session in New York, Akpoti-Uduaghan called for international intervention, urging the global community to hold the Nigerian Senate accountable for her suspension, which she linked to her allegations of sexual harassment.
She also raised concerns about the withdrawal of her security, salary cuts, and the six-month ban.
The Senate, however, denied that her suspension was related to her harassment allegations. In a statement issued by Senate Leader, Senator Bamidele Opeyemi, the upper chamber insisted that the suspension was a result of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “gross misconduct” and repeated violations of parliamentary rules. The Senate emphasized that her actions, including refusing to occupy her assigned seat, making disruptive remarks, and ignoring committee summons, justified the disciplinary action.
Additionally, the Senate clarified that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition, which she claimed was the basis for her suspension, had been dismissed due to procedural flaws, and that her suspension was unrelated to the petition.
The Senate condemned what it called a “coordinated misinformation campaign” in certain media outlets, accusing them of politicizing a standard disciplinary matter.
The Senate reaffirmed its commitment to upholding order and discipline within the chamber, stating that no senator, regardless of status, gender, or political affiliation, is above the rules.
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