Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of trying to eject her from the United Nations grounds during the most recent Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York, according to Premium Times.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that shortly after she addressed the gathering on March 11, three officials from the Nigerian Embassy in New York, led by the Chargé d’Affaires, confronted her and attempted to expel her from the event. She claimed the officials were acting on directives from Akpabio, following her remarks about her suspension from the Senate and allegations of sexual harassment against the Senate President.
“The Senate President sent three staff members from the Nigerian Embassy in New York to physically remove me from the United Nations premises right after my speech,” she stated. “I was only able to remain because parliamentarians from other countries and security personnel intervened.”
The senator’s revelation has intensified political tensions, coming amid an ongoing investigation by Nigerian intelligence agencies into her participation at the IPU meeting. The State Security Service (SSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) are reportedly looking into how she gained access to the event without official approval, as well as whether external forces facilitated her attendance.
During her speech at the IPU meeting, Akpoti-Uduaghan argued that her suspension from the Nigerian Senate was politically motivated, aimed at silencing her for exposing misconduct in the legislative chamber. In response, IPU President Tulia Ackson assured that the matter would be reviewed while also allowing the Nigerian Senate to present its side of the story.
However, Nigerian delegate Kafilat Ogbara dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims. Addressing journalists at the UN headquarters, Ogbara read a letter from Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, stating that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was due to violations of Senate Standing Rules, not retaliation for her allegations against Akpabio.
Despite the growing controversy, Akpabio has not publicly responded to the senator’s claims. His spokesperson, Eseme Eyiboh, did not return calls or messages seeking clarification on the alleged removal attempt. Likewise, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu was unavailable for comment.
Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan has also raised concerns about her safety, alleging that plans are underway to arrest her upon her return to Nigeria. She insists that her suspension and the alleged attempt to remove her from the UN event are part of a broader effort to suppress her voice and discredit her politically.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
