Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Jimoh Ibrahim has declared that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition with regards to her suspension from the Senate cannot be considered by the Interparliamentary Union.
He gave clarifications on the workings of the Interparliamentary Union, noting that it’s Nigeria that is a member of the IPU and not an individual person
He highlighted that “a petition can only be filed against a State by another member State.”
In a statement he made available to DAILY POST on Friday in Abuja, Ibrahim said he was the interim President of the IPU in Geneva in 2023, explaining that Natasha’s petitions cannot be considered, but that of a member State.
The lawmaker said: “the purported petition from the suspended Senator Natasha is “dead on arrival.”
“Nigeria, rather than Senator Natasha, is the member of the IPU. A petition can only be lodged against another member state by a member state. This implies that the IPU cannot consider petitions from individuals who are not members.
“The suspended Senator Natasha is not a member of the IPU, but Nigeria is!
“Additionally, the suspended Senator cannot represent the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I served as the interim President of the IPU in Geneva in 2023, and I am familiar with how the IPU operates after presiding over its proceedings.
“Furthermore, as Chairman of the Interparliamentary Committee in the Nigerian Senate, I did not approve or authorise the suspended Senator Natasha to attend the IPU on behalf of Nigeria to the Senate President.”
It could be recalled that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central Senatorial District was suspended from the Senate for six months over alleged breach of Senate Rules and Order.
She had alleged sexual harassment by the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio, which he has denied.
Natasha not member of IPU, her petition cannot be considered – Jimoh Ibrahim
