The office of Senate President Godswill Akpabio has firmly rejected the authority of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to compel him to testify before its panel concerning the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Akpabio’s media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, made this clear in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has been suspended for six months, previously accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and abusing his power. Following her suspension, the Senator took her grievance to the IPU, a United Nations body, where she presented her case. The IPU stated that it needed to hear from Akpabio before taking any position on the matter.
IPU President Tulia Ackson, in a statement on Wednesday, acknowledged Akpoti-Uduaghan’s concerns and promised that both sides would be heard before any steps were taken. However, Eyiboh quickly responded, insisting that the Senate President was not obliged to honor any invitation from the IPU, calling the issue an internal matter for the Nigerian National Assembly.
“They don’t have the authority to do that. This is an internal affair of the National Assembly,” Eyiboh emphasized. “Akpabio can’t be forced to honor an IPU invitation. This is contemptuous, especially since she has already obtained a court order. She’s disregarding the rule of law and, worse, trying to tarnish Nigeria’s image internationally.”
Eyiboh raised further concerns about Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal maneuverings, suggesting her decision to bypass the courts and approach the IPU could be seen as an act of contempt. He also pointed out that the IPU should not meddle in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation, especially not to the extent of embarrassing Nigeria on the world stage.
When asked about potential further sanctions against Akpoti-Uduaghan for her actions, Eyiboh refused to speculate, stating, “I cannot predict that.”
The drama began on March 6 when Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended following a dispute with Akpabio over seating arrangements, which she claimed were meant to undermine her. The situation escalated when she publicly accused the Senate President of politically victimizing her after she allegedly rejected his sexual advances. In response, she called for international intervention to hold the Nigerian Senate accountable, claiming that her suspension was part of a broader conspiracy.
However, the Nigerian Senate denied the allegations, stating that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was a direct result of her “gross misconduct” and repeated violations of Senate rules. In a statement issued by Senate Leader Senator Bamidele Opeyemi, the upper chamber made it clear that the disciplinary action was not related to her sexual harassment claims but rather to her unruly behavior in the Senate.
Opeyemi reiterated that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was based on violations such as defying seating assignments, disruptive behavior, and making defamatory remarks against Senate leadership. The Senate also emphasized that her petition, which was linked to the suspension, was dismissed for not following proper procedural channels.
“Senator Uduaghan was not suspended for submitting a petition or making allegations of sexual harassment,” Opeyemi affirmed. He also condemned what he described as a “misinformation campaign” designed to politicize the disciplinary matter.
The Senate strongly urged both local and international media outlets to correct any false narratives surrounding the situation, stating that no senator, regardless of their position or political affiliation, is exempt from the Senate’s rules and discipline.
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