March 12, (THEWILL) – A United Nations Forum, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), has assured Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, that necessary steps will be taken to address concerns raised about her suspension.
Natasha was suspended on Thursday, for six months, over alleged misconduct and violation of Senate rules. Her suspension includes the withdrawal of her salary, security details, and access to the National Assembly premises.
The suspended Senator, on Tuesday, told the IPU that she was being victimised and appealed for international intervention to hold the Nigerian Senate accountable after she recalled her allegation of sexual harassment made against Nigerian Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Responding to her plea, IPU President, Tulia Ackson, said they would also hear what the other side had to say and added that it would be followed with action.
Ackson said, “Dear colleagues, there was a matter before I closed the meeting, the matter that was raised by our colleague from Nigeria, Senator Natasha.
“And because all of us had what she said, and it only serves us better if I put a word in what she has said. So I would like to say we have. We have had her concerns, and having heard her, it would have been an opportunity for all of us to understand more about what she has said.
“But because we listened only on her side as an institution, as IPU, we will be taking the concerns that have been raised, not only taking her side but also giving a chance to listen to the other side as it is a custom for IPU and after having listened to the other side. We will take steps as necessary. So I thought it was necessary for us to say a word about it and then be able to take it further. So I thought I should let you members know before we think she because she said something different from what the contributions were
“So we have taken care of it; we have taken the concerns that she raised, and we will be working on them. Of course, having listened to the other side, we will be able to take steps after that.
“I also recognise the fact that our Nigerian delegate who is here had requested the floor, but because of time, she wasn’t given a chance to speak. But like I said, we have had the concerns that have been raised by Senator Natasha.”
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