The camp of Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dismissed the authority of the Inter-Parliamentary Union to compel him to appear before its panel over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the National Assembly.
Akpabio’s media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, made this known in an exclusive interview on Wednesday, insisting that the Senate President was under no obligation to honour any invitation from the IPU, as the matter remained an internal parliamentary issue.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently serving a six-month suspension, had accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of power. On Tuesday, she lodged a formal complaint against the Nigerian Senate and its leadership before the IPU, a United Nations agency.
After hearing her case, the IPU, through its President Tulia Ackson, stated that it would take necessary steps only after hearing Akpabio’s side of the story.
“The IPU, through its President Tulia Ackson, assured that it would take necessary steps after hearing both sides of the issue. Ackson acknowledged Akpoti-Uduaghan’s concerns but stressed the need for procedural fairness by hearing Akpabio’s side as well,” a statement by the agency read.
Reacting to the development, Eyiboh dismissed the IPU’s stance, arguing that it had no jurisdiction over Nigeria’s legislative affairs.
“They don’t have the authority to do that. It is an internal affair of the National Assembly. Akpabio can’t be forced to honour an IPU invitation. That is one. Secondly, what she is doing is contemptuous since she was said to have obtained a court order,” he said.
Eyiboh further criticised Akpoti-Uduaghan’s approach, accusing her of attempting to damage Nigeria’s image on the international stage.
“That means she has no regard for the rule of law. And beyond being contemptuous, what she is trying to do is to dent the image of Nigeria, which is worrisome. Again, the IPU cannot meddle into the parliament and internal affairs of a sovereign state like Nigeria. It will be very embarrassing.
“But as I said, she has taken a step to show contempt for the court she went to. Has anybody asked her why she left the court to start heading to the IPU? Anyway, we wouldn’t want to comment too much on that issue because it is sub judice.”
When asked if Akpoti-Uduaghan would face additional sanctions for taking her case to the IPU, Eyiboh declined to speculate.
“I cannot predict that,” he said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended on March 6 following a confrontation with the Senate President over a new seating arrangement, which she claimed was designed to undermine her.
The situation escalated when she, during an appearance on national television, accused Akpabio of politically victimising her for rejecting his alleged sexual advances.
Speaking at the Women in Parliament session during the IPU meeting at the United Nations in New York, Akpoti-Uduaghan called for international intervention to hold the Nigerian Senate accountable. She also lamented the withdrawal of her security, salary cuts, and her six-month suspension.
The Senate has denied allegations that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was linked to her sexual harassment claims against Akpabio, insisting that her disciplinary action was based strictly on her misconduct and repeated violations of parliamentary rules.
In a statement issued by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the upper legislative chamber dismissed what it described as “deliberate misinformation and false narratives” being spread in some media outlets.
“Let it be unequivocally stated that Senator Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent acts of misconduct, blatant disregard for the provisions of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended), and gross indiscipline—nothing more, nothing less,” Bamidele stated.
According to the Senate, the decision to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan followed an investigation by the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, which found her guilty of multiple infractions.
Among the violations listed by the Senate were:
– Refusing to occupy her assigned seat during plenary
– Speaking without being recognised by the presiding officer
– Engaging in unruly and disruptive behaviour
– Making abusive remarks against the Senate leadership
– Defying summons from the Ethics and Privileges Committee
The Senate maintained that her actions amounted to a direct challenge to its authority, warranting disciplinary measures to maintain order within the chamber.
Addressing reports that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was linked to a petition she submitted, the Senate clarified that the petition was “rightfully discountenanced” as it failed to meet procedural requirements.
“Contrary to the false claims being circulated, Senator Uduaghan was NOT suspended for making any sexual harassment allegation or for submitting a petition,” Bamidele reiterated.
The Senate also condemned what it described as “irresponsible and unethical reporting” by certain media outlets, accusing them of pushing a “coordinated misinformation campaign” aimed at politicising a routine disciplinary matter.
“This coordinated misinformation campaign is nothing more than an attempt to politicise a disciplinary action that was strictly based on clear violations of Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended),” the statement read.
The Senate urged both local and international media organisations to correct what it described as misrepresentations and avoid spreading false narratives that could undermine public trust in the legislative process.
“The Senate remains committed to upholding discipline, order, and parliamentary ethics. No senator—regardless of status, gender, or political affiliation—is above the rules of the Senate,” Bamidele stated.
