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Nigeria’s SSS and NIA are investigating Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attendance at the IPU meeting in New York, questioning how she gained accreditation. Akpoti-Uduaghan claims her suspension and probe are political retaliation for accusing Senate President Akpabio of harassment. Nigerians criticize the government’s priorities in the ongoing controversy.

Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) have launched a probe into Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York, despite her absence from the official Nigerian delegation. The investigation, reportedly aimed at uncovering how she gained accreditation, has sparked fresh political debates.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele raised concerns in plenary, questioning how Akpoti-Uduaghan attended the global event without Senate authorization. The IPU strictly limits attendance to designated representatives, and security agencies are now investigating whether she obtained credentials through unofficial channels or if external actors facilitated her participation.

The embattled senator, who is currently serving a six-month suspension, has maintained that her attendance at the IPU was legitimate and that the probe is another attempt to silence her. At the meeting, she reiterated that her suspension was politically motivated, claiming it was punishment for accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of s+x¥al harassment. She also alleged that following her suspension, her security details were withdrawn, her salary was halted, and she was barred from accessing the National Assembly.

The Senate has officially refuted her claims, stating that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was due to misconduct and had no connection to her allegations against Akpabio. Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Ethics is preparing to hear testimonies regarding her accusations against the Senate President, which include claims that he made inappropriate advances toward her during a visit to his residence in 2023.

Public reactions to the probe have been overwhelmingly critical, with many Nigerians questioning why intelligence agencies are focusing on her attendance rather than investigating the harassment allegations. Social media users have mocked the government’s priorities, with one commenter noting, "They can investigate her IPU trip, but not sexual harassment? Make it make sense." Another stated, "If they can oppress a senator like this, what happens to ordinary citizens?"

As the investigations continue, the political drama surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan remains a focal point in Nigeria’s ongoing discourse on gender, power, and accountability.