Nigerian senator Natasha Akpoti informed the Women in Parliament session at the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting at the United Nations in New York about her suspension and sexual harassment case against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
At the IPU meeting, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan spoke emotionally about her experience since the suspension.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union, is the global organisation of national parliaments that promotes peace, democracy, and sustainable development through parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue.
The president of IPU and Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania, Dr. Tulia Ackson at the session confirmed that the institution will give the other party to say its side of the story and not just judged based on what the Kogi Central senator reported.
In Ackson’s word: “We have heard her concern and having heard her, it would be an opportunity for all of us to be able to understand more about what she has said, but because we listened to only on her side, as an institution, as IPU, we would be taking the concerns that has being raised, not only taking her side but giving a chance to listen to the other side as it is a custom for IPU and after having listen to the other side, we will take steps necessary.
“I thought it was necessary for us to say a word about it and then be able to take it further, because she said something different from what the contributions were.
“We have taken the concern that she raise and we will be working on them and we will be able to take steps after that.” The IPU president added.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that Nigerian women in politics continue to face systematic marginalisation and harassment.
“I came with a heavy heart from Nigeria. But first, I would like to apologise to Hon. Kafilat Ogbara. I am not here to bring shame to our country, I am here to seek help for the women of Nigeria.”
She detailed the conditions attached to her suspension, one of which restricts her rights and privileges as a senator, while admitting that her participation at the IPU assembly was illegal because her suspension prevents her from engaging in any international legislative function.
“I thought by submitting the petition, he (senate president) would recuse himself and both of us would submit ourselves to the committee of ethics, privileges and public petitions for a fair and transparent investigation.
“But unfortunately, I was silenced, and I was suspended for six months among many other stringent conditions, such as taking away my security, taking away all the official vehicles and other items that were handed over to me as a senator.
“My salary would be cut off, I must not appear anywhere near the National Assembly.
“And for six months, I am not to present myself as a senator locally in Nigeria and internationally. I am here illegally, and I have no other place to go but to come here and speak to you,” she disclosed.
Akpoti-Uduaghan condemned her suspension and described it as an assault on democracy.
“This is a clear case of political victimisation, punishment for speaking out against impunity, corruption, and gender-based violence. The United Nations Declaration 48-104 declares sexual harassment as a form of gender violence.
“The Senate’s action is an assault on democracy. I was elected by my constituents to represent them, yet a few powerful men have unilaterally decided to silence my voice by suspending me for six months. My call for an open and transparent investigation into harassment allegations has been met with hostility instead of accountability,” she added.
Dr. Ackson affirmed after the senatpor’s appeal that there would be a thorough investigation into the festering matter: “IPU will be taking this matter as we usually do when such concern are raised in meetings like this.”
The Senate suspended Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months with effect from 6 March, after considering a report by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
By: Adeoye Olorunseun Elizabeth
Leave a Reply