Sexual harassment: ‘We wil make our decision known after listening to Akpabio,’ says UN Inter-Parliamentary Union

 

The President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Tulia Ackson, has responded to plea from suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

According to Ackson, necessary steps will only be taken after hearing from both sides on her suspension.

Ackson made this statement in a video seen on Wednesday, following Natasha’s plea to the IPU and the United Nations (UN) for intervention in what she tagged as an unjust suspension.

Natasha bagged a six months suspension for breaking the rules of the Senate. However, during the Women in Parliament session at the IPU meeting, Natasha called for justice and urged global democratic institutions to address what she claimed was a political victimisation.

Reacting to Natasha’s appeal, IPU President Tulia Ackson acknowledged the issues raised and assured that action would only be taken after listening to the other side.

Ackson said: “Dear colleagues, there was a matter before I closed the meeting, there was a matter that arose during the first session which we had this morning, the matter that was raised by our colleague from Nigeria, Senator Natasha. And because all of us heard what she said and it only serves us better if I put a word in what she has said.

“So I would like to say we have heard her concerns and having heard her, it would have been an opportunity for all of us to understand more about what she has said.

“But because we listened only on her side as an institution, as IPU, we will be taking the concerns that have been raised, not only taking her side but also giving a chance to listen to the other side as it is a custom for IPU and after having listened to the other side.

“We will take steps as necessary. So I thought it was necessary for us to say a word about it and then be able to take it further.

“We have taken the concerns that she raised and we will be working on them, of course, having listened to the other side and we will be able to take steps after that.

“I also recognize the fact that our Nigerian delegate who is here had requested the floor but because of time she wasn’t given a chance to speak. But like I said, we have had the concerns that have been raised by Senator Natasha.”