Speaking exclusively to PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday, Akpoti-Uduaghan explained she registered online as a senator and secured accreditation through her previous participation in IPU events. She personally funded the entire trip after receiving approval to attend.
“I registered online as a senator. The suspension does not remove my legitimacy as a senator,” she told PREMIUM TIMES. “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.”
This wasn’t her first IPU attendance. In March 2024, she was part of Nigeria’s official delegation to the 148th IPU General Assembly in Geneva, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The delegation included Cross-River South Senator Ekpenyong Asuquo and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
Akpoti-Uduaghan clarified that she gained access through her past participation in a Commission on the Status of Women meeting and her previous IPU attendance in Geneva. She noted that IPU events welcome not only government officials but also individuals and civil society organizations.
The senator confirmed she traveled using a regular Nigerian passport rather than an official one.
Despite her six-month Senate suspension explicitly prohibiting her from identifying as a senator during this period, Akpoti-Uduaghan maintains her suspension is illegal and doesn’t invalidate her status as an elected representative. She insisted she spoke at the IPU as a legitimate representative of her constituents.
During the interview, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged plans for her arrest upon returning to Nigeria. “I’m aware there are plans underway to have me arrested as soon as I arrive Abuja,” she claimed. She further alleged that Senate President Akpabio sent embassy staff to remove her from the United Nations premises after her speech, but she was “rescued by parliamentarians from other countries and security.”
The Senate President could not be reached for comment, with his spokesperson yet to respond to inquiries.
Following her unauthorized attendance, Nigeria’s intelligence agencies—the State Security Service (SSS) and National Intelligence Agency (NIA)—have launched an investigation into how she gained access without official nomination and whether her participation was orchestrated to embarrass Nigeria.
The government believes Akpoti-Uduaghan bypassed diplomatic protocols before addressing the IPU meeting on March 11, where she claimed her Senate suspension was politically motivated to silence her criticism of misconduct in the chamber. She also raised allegations of sexual harassment against the senate president.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
Leave a Comment