Key Points

• Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan defended her attendance at the IPU meeting in New York.
• She claimed her suspension did not invalidate her legitimacy as a senator.
• Nigerian intelligence agencies have launched an investigation into her participation.

Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has detailed how she attended the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York, despite not being officially nominated by the Nigerian government.

In an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday, Akpoti-Uduaghan explained that she registered online as a senator and secured her accreditation due to her previous attendance and inclusion on IPU’s mailing list. She personally funded her trip after receiving approval to attend the meeting.

“I registered online as a senator. The suspension does not remove my legitimacy as a senator. I attended the same programme last year and was already on the mailing list. After I got a pass, I bought my own ticket and funded my trip and participation at the event,” she said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan previously attended the 148th IPU General Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, in March 2024, as part of Nigeria’s official delegation led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Other members of the delegation included Cross-River South Senator Ekpenyong Asuquo and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu.

During that assembly, Akpabio advocated for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.

Attendance legitimacy and personal funding

Akpoti-Uduaghan clarified that the IPU event is open to civil society organizations and individuals, not just government officials.

She also stated that she traveled with an ordinary Nigerian passport and not an official one.

Despite her six-month suspension from the Senate, which prohibits her from identifying as a senator locally and internationally, Akpoti-Uduaghan maintained her legitimacy as an elected senator.

She asserted that her suspension was illegal and politically motivated, designed to silence her for addressing misconduct in the legislative chamber.

Allegations of arrest and government investigation

Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that there are plans to arrest her upon her return to Nigeria. “I’m aware there are plans underway to have me arrested as soon as I arrive Abuja,” she said.

She also claimed that Senate President Akpabio sent officials, including the Chargè D’Affairs of the Nigerian embassy in New York, to remove her from the United Nations premises after her speech.

According to her, she was assisted by parliamentarians from other countries and security personnel.

The Senate president has not commented on the allegations. His spokesperson, Eseme Eyiboh, has not responded to multiple calls and messages, while the Senate’s spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, was unreachable on Sunday morning.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attendance at the IPU meeting has sparked an official investigation. Nigerian intelligence agencies, including the State Security Service (SSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), are probing how she gained access without official nomination.

Authorities are also investigating whether her participation was influenced by interest groups intending to embarrass Nigeria.

During her address at the meeting, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that her suspension was politically motivated and accused the Senate President of sexual harassment