Why I Ran To UN IPU For Help Over My Suspension – Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Speaks Out

The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Nigerian Senate has ignited a fresh wave of discourse on political victimisation, gender-based discrimination, and the fight for justice in Nigeria’s legislative sphere. Her decision to take her case to the United Nations Inter-Parliamentary Union (UN IPU) highlights the gravity of her situation and the broader implications for women in Nigerian politics.

On Tuesday, March 12, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan addressed the IPU meeting at the United Nations headquarters in New York, where she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of political persecution following her petition against him for alleged sexual harassment. Her suspension, which she deems “illegal and unjust,” has now become a defining case in the struggle for gender equity and democratic accountability in Nigeria.

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The Controversy: How It All Started

The events leading to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension began with a dispute over seat reallocation in the Nigerian Senate. Following her protest, she was suspended on March 6, 2025, for six months, a move that critics see as an excessive punishment designed to silence a vocal female politician.

However, the situation took a more serious turn when she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of making sexual advances towards her. Instead of allowing an independent investigation, the Senate, under Akpabio’s leadership, swiftly moved to suspend her, stripping her of her official privileges, salary, security, and legislative recognition.

Her allegations against Akpabio and her subsequent suspension have sparked national and international outrage, with many seeing this as a textbook case of political victimization and gender suppression.

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Why Akpoti-Uduaghan Ran to the UN IPU

Faced with what she described as an unjust and oppressive political system, Akpoti-Uduaghan sought intervention from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), an international body that promotes parliamentary democracy and defends the rights of legislators globally.

At the IPU meeting, she made an emotional appeal, stating:

“I come with a heavy heart from Nigeria… I am not here to bring shame to my country. I am here to seek help for the women of Nigeria.”

Her speech was more than just a personal plea—it was a direct call to international bodies to hold Nigeria’s legislative system accountable for silencing women who speak out against corruption and gender-based injustice.

Her core arguments at the UN IPU revolved around:

• The illegality of her suspension.
• The political persecution she faced for speaking out.
• The broader impact on Nigerian women in politics, warning that if nothing is done, the exclusion of women from leadership roles would persist.

She further emphasized:

“This is a clear case of political victimization, punishment for speaking out against impunity, corruption, and gender-based violence.”

Her visit to the UN IPU is a bold attempt to seek international pressure on the Nigerian Senate to either reverse her suspension or hold Akpabio accountable for his alleged misconduct.

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Can the UN IPU Help? Analyzing Natasha’s Chances

While the UN IPU does not have the direct power to overturn legislative decisions in sovereign nations, it plays a significant role in:

1. Investigating violations against parliamentarians and advocating for justice.
2. Exerting diplomatic pressure on governments that violate democratic principles.
3. Mobilizing international support, leading to consequences such as travel bans, sanctions, or reputational damage for those found guilty of abuse of power.

See Also

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How NASS Infringed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Constitutional Rights – SERAP

SUSPENDED OR SILENCED? THE SAGA OF SENATOR NATASHA AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN’S SIX-MONTH BENCHING

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Precedents from the IPU show that intervention can be effective, as seen in cases where the body has pressured governments to reinstate suspended or imprisoned lawmakers in countries like Venezuela, Turkey, and Uganda.

For Akpoti-Uduaghan, the most likely outcomes from the IPU intervention include:

• A formal condemnation of the Nigerian Senate’s actions, increasing international scrutiny.
• Pressure on Nigerian authorities to review her suspension to avoid diplomatic embarrassment.
• Potential support from human rights organizations, amplifying her case.

However, for the IPU’s influence to yield tangible results, Akpoti-Uduaghan must rally local and international civil society groups, women’s organizations, and political allies to push for justice.

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The Outlook of the Case: What Happens Next?

For Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan:

• If the Nigerian Senate refuses to lift her suspension, her international appeal could make her a symbol of resistance against gender oppression in politics.
• If the IPU successfully applies pressure, she could be reinstated earlier than the six-month suspension term.
• If the case escalates further, it could become a landmark issue in Nigeria’s democratic and gender equality history.

For Nigerian Women in Politics:

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case highlights the systemic challenges women face in Nigeria’s political space, including:

• Sexual harassment and gender-based intimidation.
• Political marginalization and suppression of dissenting female voices.
• Retaliatory actions against women who challenge powerful men in governance.

Her fight could set a precedent that encourages more Nigerian women to speak out against oppression, paving the way for legislative reforms to protect female politicians from victimization.

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Final Thoughts: The Battle for Justice and Gender Equity

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case is more than a personal struggle—it is a litmus test for Nigeria’s democracy and its commitment to gender equality.

Her appeal to the UN IPU is a courageous move, signaling that Nigerian women are no longer willing to be silenced, intimidated, or sidelined in politics.

While the road ahead remains uncertain, one thing is clear: this case has sparked a national and international conversation on the need for fair representation, gender inclusion, and accountability in Nigeria’s governance.

Will the Nigerian Senate succumb to international pressure and reinstate her?

Or will this be another case of impunity, where powerful men silence opposition with no consequences?

The world is watching.