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Senator Jimoh Ibrahim has dismissed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) regarding her suspension and sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, describing it as baseless and inadmissible.
Ibrahim, who chairs the Senate Interparliamentary Committee, stated that Akpoti-Uduaghan lacks the standing to submit a petition to the IPU since she is not a member.
He clarified that Nigeria, as a country, holds membership in the IPU, not individual lawmakers.
In a statement released in Abuja on Thursday, Ibrahim explained that only member states can file petitions within the IPU framework.
“The IPU does not entertain petitions from individuals who are not members. While Nigeria is a member, the suspended Senator Natasha is not,” he emphasized.
The former Ondo governorship aspirant further asserted that Akpoti-Uduaghan does not have the authority to represent Nigeria at the IPU.
Drawing from his experience as interim president of the IPU in Geneva in 2023, he stated, “I understand the workings of the IPU, having presided over its proceedings.”
Ibrahim also noted that, as chairman of the Interparliamentary Committee, he never granted approval for Akpoti-Uduaghan to attend any IPU meeting on Nigeria’s behalf.
“I did not authorize or approve the suspended senator’s participation in the IPU to represent Nigeria or the Senate President,” he concluded.