Nigeria’s intelligence services have launched an inquiry into how Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan entered a high-level international parliamentary conference without formal permission, according to Premium Times. Her attendance at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) summit in New York on March 11 while not being a member of Nigeria’s official delegation is the subject of an investigation headed by the State Security Service (SSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). According to reports, authorities are closely examining if outside parties enabled her involvement and whether her appearance was meant to disgrace the nation diplomatically.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Sources familiar with the investigation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that intelligence operatives are examining how the senator obtained accreditation for the IPU event. The focus is on whether her attendance breached standard parliamentary protocols and if procedural violations were committed in securing her access.
The IPU, a global parliamentary organization, has strict regulations regarding representation. Official delegations typically include nominated senators, members of the House of Representatives, and designated parliamentary staff, with accreditation granted only to those authorized by their respective countries. While observers may attend under special circumstances, such participation requires formal approval from both the IPU and the individual’s home country.
Concerns were raised in Nigeria’s political circles when Akpoti-Uduaghan addressed the IPU assembly, where she spoke about her recent suspension from the Nigerian Senate. She alleged that her suspension was politically motivated to silence her for exposing misconduct within the legislative chamber. She also made serious allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, drawing global attention to the controversy.
Following her remarks, IPU President Tulia Ackson assured that the organization would investigate her claims but emphasized the need to hear the Nigerian Senate’s response. However, Nigerian delegate Kafilat Ogbara countered Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations. Ogbara, who chairs the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, told journalists at the UN headquarters that the senator’s suspension was not politically motivated but was due to breaches of parliamentary rules. She referenced a letter from Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, which detailed the procedural violations that led to the disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Her unexpected presence at the IPU meeting has sparked debates among Nigerian lawmakers and security officials. Many are questioning how she managed to secure access without going through the proper channels. During a Senate session, Bamidele criticized her participation, stating that international parliamentary organizations operate under strict rules that Nigeria, like other member states, is required to follow. He emphasized that the IPU only recognizes official national parliamentary delegations and that individuals cannot represent their countries without formal designation.
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, chair of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Activities, reinforced this position, asserting that Akpoti-Uduaghan had no authorization to attend the meeting on behalf of Nigeria. He stated that neither the Nigerian Senate nor the country’s Inter-Parliamentary Committee had endorsed her participation.
The joint SSS-NIA investigation is reportedly in response to complaints from the Nigerian Senate. Intelligence officials are now working to determine whether Akpoti-Uduaghan acquired accreditation through unofficial means or if external backers facilitated her participation. The inquiry will also examine whether her statements at the IPU meeting misrepresented Nigeria’s official stance and whether any procedural violations occurred in securing her access to the event.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
