‘Who Facilitated Her Accreditation?’: FG Investigates Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Attendance at IPU Meeting

The Federal Government has launched an investigation into how suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan attended the recent Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York without official nomination or approval from Nigeria.

According to a report by *Premium Times*, sources within the administration of President Bola Tinubu confirmed that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) are jointly probing the matter. The agencies are focusing on who facilitated Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accreditation, whether any interest groups orchestrated her participation to discredit the Nigerian government, and whether her actions breached IPU or National Assembly protocols.

The IPU, a global parliamentary organization, only allows participation from officially nominated delegates. Any attendance as an observer requires prior approval from both the IPU and the delegate’s home country. Nigerian authorities insist that Akpoti-Uduaghan did not follow these procedures before gaining access to the March 11 session in New York.

During the event, Akpoti-Uduaghan addressed her recent suspension from the Senate, describing it as politically motivated and aimed at silencing her for exposing misconduct within the chamber. She also accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. In response, IPU President Tulia Ackson said the body would look into the matter, while also inviting the Nigerian Senate to present its own account.

Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, a member of Nigeria’s official delegation, challenged Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims in a follow-up address at the UN Secretariat. She read a letter from Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele stating that the senator’s suspension was a consequence of breaching Senate Standing Rules, not retaliation for her allegations.

Bamidele also questioned her presence at the meeting, emphasizing that international parliamentary organizations operate strictly on designated representation, not individual participation. He stressed that only officially nominated delegates are allowed to speak on behalf of their countries.

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Activities, confirmed that Akpoti-Uduaghan had no approval from either the Senate or its inter-parliamentary committee to attend the event.

The DSS and NIA are now investigating whether she used unauthorised credentials, whether external actors facilitated her access, and whether her statements misrepresented Nigeria’s official position. The probe will also determine if any individuals or organizations assisted her in violating IPU or Nigerian parliamentary procedures.