A high-ranking administration official and two top security officials involved in the inquiry said the State Security Service (SSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), are working to determine how Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan attended the international meeting without approval, who facilitated her trip and accreditation, and whether her participation was orchestrated by interest groups to embarrass Nigeria, its government and its people.
Did Akpoti-Uduagan breach the official procedure?
The IPU, a global parliamentary organisation, has strict rules governing representations and operations. Participation at the global gathering of lawmakers is restricted to official delegates from member parliaments, according to IPU rules.
Delegates are typically nominated by their countries and their details officially submitted to the IPU Secretariat before meetings. Delegates will thereafter receive accreditation based on their parliamentary status and are then issued access credentials.
For Nigeria, which operates a bicameral legislature, the delegation specifically consists of selected senators, House of Representatives members, and parliamentary officials. Only accredited delegates can occupy official seats and speak on behalf of their respective countries. In rare instances, individuals may attend as observers, but such attendance requires explicit approval from both the IPU and the attendees’ home countries’ delegation.
Nigeria believes Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan did not follow the required protocols before gaining access to the IPU meeting on 11 March, where she addressed her suspension from the Nigerian Senate, alleging that it was politically motivated to silence her for speaking out against misconduct in the legislative chamber.
At the meeting, she also raised allegations of s*xual harassment against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
In response, IPU President ,Tulia Tulia Ackson, said the parliamentary body would investigate the matter, but would also allow the Nigerian Senate to present its side of the story.
However, a Nigerian delegate to the IPU meeting, Kafilat Ogbara, countered Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims when she (Ogbara) addressed journalists at the UN secretariat a day after the former ’s attendance at the IPU meeting.
Mrs Ogbara, who chairs the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, read a letter from Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, stating that Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was due to violations of Senate Standing Rules during plenary sessions, rather than retaliation for her allegations against Mr Akpabio.
Key focus of the inquiry by SSS and NIA
The SSS-NIA collaborative investigation is believed to have been triggered by complaints by the Nigerian senate.
the investigation would review whether her participation at the meeting breached any IPU regulations or the Nigerian National Assembly protocols.
The inquiry will also determine if Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statements at the event misrepresented Nigeria’s official stance and whether individuals or organisations helped her secure attendance without the government’s knowledge or approval.
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The woman is doing too much now. Going to places without the govts authority while being suspended as a senator. Not following laid down rules is why she’s in this position in the first place but she’s making it worse by continuing to do the same
ReplyDeleteI won't lie, I love this woman boldness. A good representation of beauty and brain. Watching her speaking at the parliamentary, I found it imperative to say that parents should endeavor to raise strong daughters not slay queens kinda women.
ReplyDeleteThe girl's child education should be taken serious. Investing in the girl child comes with a great reward. A woman should be one with great knowledge and understanding. Not one who opens her mouth and spew irrelevant nonsense or cruise on serious matter.
Sen. Natasha going to the UN wasn't to remove the Senate President but to give women a voice especially African women globally. I saw a foreign tabloid with the caption, ''We are all Natasha''. She has achieved a milestone out of this. I won't be surprised if the Senate president receive visa restrictions in some countries.
I learnt there are plans to arrest her at the Airport on arrival by DSS. I don't know how true is that information. It's alleged they're waiting at the airport to pick her up.
© TEEJAY
"Not one who opens her mouth and spew irrelevant nonsense or cruise on serious matter."
DeleteHmmm
Fight your cause,within the sphere of the law.🙄🙄🙄
ReplyDeleteWhy do people address her as Senator Natasha? Shouldn’t it be Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan or Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan? Nobody refers to any other senator with their first name.
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