Why IPU can’t summon Akpabio over Natasha – spokesman | Read Details
The media aide to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Eseme Eyiboh, has claimed that the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, has no power to summon the former over the suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi central.
Recall that Natasha, who is serving a six-month suspension, from March 6, 2025, had accused Akpabio of se-xual harassment and abuse of power.
On Tuesday, she went before the IPU, a United Nations agency, to lodge a complaint against the Nigerian Senate and the Senate President, Akpabio.
After listening to her case, the IPU stated that it would take a stand after hearing from Akpabio.
“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 Wednesday statement by the agency read.
However, in an interview on Wednesday, Akpabio’s aide, Eyiboh, insisted that the Senate President was under no obligation to honour any invitation from the IPU, arguing that the matter was an internal parliamentary issue.
“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.
“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” the aide told PUNCH.
