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Tag: IPU

  • IPU to Natasha: we’ll hear from the other side

    IPU to Natasha: we’ll hear from the other side

    The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), has told the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, that it will hear from the Senate and its President, Senator Godswill Akpabio before addressing her case.

    Natasha, who was suspended for six months on the 6th of March, 2025, by the Senate over alleged misconduct, had reported the alleged injustice meted to the IPU, a global body of national legislators, at the Women in Parliament Session held during the IPU meeting.

    She called for intervention of the global legislative body, claiming that her suspension from the Senate was illegal.

    Natasha, who was suspended after a rancorous exchange with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, averred that she was being victimised for standing up against injustice and submitting a sexual harassment petition against Akpabio. 

    The suspension provoked widespread debate in Nigeria, with many querying the legality of the sanctions against her.

    Addressing the IPU, Natasha said: “I come with a heavy heart from Nigeria. But first, I’d like to apologise to Honourable Kafilat Okpara. I’m not here to bring shame to our country. I’m here to seek help for the women of Nigeria.

    “Five days ago, on the 6th of March, 2025, I was suspended as a senator illegally because I submitted a petition of sexual harassment against the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

    “I thought that by submitting the petition, he would recuse himself and both of us would submit ourselves to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition for a fair and transparent investigation, but unfortunately, I was silenced and I was suspended.

    “I was suspended for six months amongst many other stringent conditions such as taking away my security, taking away all the official vehicles and other items that were handed over to me as a senator. My salaries will be cut off. I must not appear anywhere near the National Assembly, and for six months, I’m not to introduce or present myself as a senator locally in Nigeria or internationally.

    “That means I’m here illegally, but I have no other place to go but to come here and speak to you women because this is a bigger picture. 

    “It depicts the crisis of women in political representation. My suspension is not just about me – it’s about the systemic exclusion of women from political leadership in Nigeria. 

    “This is a clear case of political victimisation, punishment for speaking out against impunity, corruption, and gender-based violence.

    “The Senate’s actions are an assault on democracy. I was elected by my constituents to represent them, yet a few powerful men have unilaterally decided to silence their voices by suspending me for six months. 

    “My call for an open and transparent investigation into harassment allegations has been met with hostility instead of accountability.

    “If a female senator can be treated this way in the full view of the world, imagine what ordinary Nigerian women go through every day in workplaces, universities…”

    Responding to Natasha’s address, President of IPU, Tulia Ackson said the organisation had heard from her, but cannot act until the IPU hear from the other parties – Akpabio and Nigerian Senate.

    Speaking in a video that has now gone viral, Ackson said: “We have heard her concern. Having heard her, it would have been opportunity for all of us to understand what she has said, we only listen to her side.

    “But as an institution, IPU, will be taken concern that has been raised. Not only listen to her side but give opportunities to the other side as it is the custom for IPU. 

    “Once we listen to the other side we will take steps as necessary because she said something out of our agenda.”

  • 133rd IPU: Nigeria will not take back seat again, says Lasun

    133rd IPU: Nigeria will not take back seat again, says Lasun

    The Deputy Speaker and leader of the Nigerian delegation to the 133rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Yussuff Lasun, decried the near-absence of Nigeria in the top echelon of the Union, saying the development was in sharp contrast to what the country is known for in global intervention platforms. Dele Anofi summed up how Nigeria set in motion means of changing the trend at the recent General Assembly of the Union held in Geneva, Switzerland

    Asserting her influence on world stage is not strange to Nigeria. In fact, this was what the country’s contingent to the 133rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) held in Geneva, Switzerland, did. The team, led by the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Yussuff Sulaimon Lasun, wasted no time in setting in motion its intention to make its presence felt positively with the very first meeting with the African regional group. Nigeria’s determination to be more involved in the affairs of the union was made known at the October 18th meeting that preceded the opening of the General Assembly.

    The regional group meeting was meant to articulate the continent’s position on key issues to be presented for adoption by the General Assembly.   When it was time to pick the chairman of the regional group, there was no contest as Deputy Speaker, Lasun, emerged the Chairman of the African Regional group to the 133rd IPU.

    After crossing the first huddle, Lasun and his team ensured that Nigeria’s voice was heard loud and clear at the conference. Employing the doctrine of necessity strategy, Lasun esured that critical decisions were reached without any quarrel.

    On how the session arrived at its decision without rancour, Lasun said African countries should be encouraged to explore the option of doctrine of necessity for resolution of conflicts.

    When asked how he was able to handle and manoeuvre the session effectively, being his first at the global parliamentary body, Lasun said the activities in the House had prepared him well for such duties.

    At the General Assembly,  while the United States, Great Britain,  Russia, Ukraine were busy throwing words at each other over the subject matter of refugees, Nigeria stood up to be counted defending the plight of the refugees.

    In his address, Lasun said, “The removal of stereotype of migrants as a desperate, parasitic and less economic value group is the most effective means of solving perceived and real challenges posed by migrants. Migrants represent an increased market size, purveyor of skilled and talent, alternative ounces of labour and work force, as well as reversal of population losses.” He however warned that before granting asylum to migrants, all states must collaborate with INTERPOL, take appropriate steps to ensure that such persons had no links with terrorism. The address was greeted with a deserved standing ovation which prompted a sideline meeting with the Secretary General of the IPU, Martins Chunguno.

    Chungong expressed concern over Nigeria’s participation in the activities of the Union. Lasun led the Nigerian delegation to the Secretary General’s office with one mission in mind – to explore how to get Nigeria more involved in IPU.  While assuring that Nigeria would not be found wanting in discharging its responsibilities to the global parliamentary body, Lasun reminded his host that Nigeria is a country that have played a leading role particularly in the emancipation of fellow African countries. “While I was talking in audience with the Secretary-General, Nigeria is not presently on the Executive Committee of IPU, which I think, like I said, is not good enough. We know what we did during the days of apartheid; we knew what we did during the crisis in the West African sub-region, with Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, everywhere. So, this is an opportunity for Nigeria to ask for more international presence and that is exactly what we have done with our presence this time around.

    Leader of Senate delegate, Sen Kabiru Gaya, backed the Deputy Speaker on the issue of migrants, saying, “The timing of the 133rd IPU Assembly is very apt and very educative and it is hoped that the congress will accept the recommendations because we are all migrants ourselves. Some people believe we all started from Adam and Eve, if that is the case, then we all are migrants and I think we all should be nice to each other. We can see what is happening in Germany where some people say they don’t like the migrant and some say they like them, though the IPU is working and I am happy with the role they are playing so far”.

    In his response, the Secretary-General of the IPU, Chungong, shared Nigeria’s optimism as he disclosed the readiness of the union’s secretariat to aid the country’s quests for more prominent roles. “The very fact that Nigeria organised an election with a change of government through the ballot box without any problem like maybe in advance democracy, has sent a strong signal from Nigeria as a big country that democracy can work in Africa. We want to see the parliament continue to play that strong role that democracy is entrenched in Nigeria. We really want to see that Nigeria play a strong role because there are things that we are going to do in the new developmental agenda, in trying to organise countries to come together and see how parliament will work together to implement the new developmental agenda; we are counting on Nigeria. We have to see what we can do together, not only for Nigeria itself but for Nigeria to pull the others up and that is the role you are to play. When it comes to the structure of the IPU, we are very transparent about that, we have vacancies and we will publicize them; I don’t think that anybody in the group will challenge the leadership role that Nigeria is to play. What I suggest we do is that we should keep in touch, keep in touch with my office so that if there is any opening, we will draw your attention to that and you do the required lobbying. Nigeria has not sat on the Executive committee for a long time. There are four seats for Africa in the Executive committee, North, East, West, Southern Africa and the seat for West Africa is occupied by Republic of Niger. In my time in the IPU, I have not seen Nigeria in the Executive committee, but we want these big countries to flex their muscles a bit, not to exclude those lagging but to be pulled. So, I look forward to your strong leadership in steering the affairs of the Nigerian delegation in the IPU and we are there to offer whatever support we can provide. We are confident that there is a possibility to get Nigeria to mobilize the other parliaments in the region.” Sen. Gaya assured that since the lapses have been identified, Nigeria would surely seize the opportunity to take on more responsibilities at the IPU.

    Only time will tell how the latest enthusiasm will translate to reality.

  • Nigeria faults maltreatment of migrants, refugees

    Nigeria faults maltreatment of migrants, refugees

    Nigeria has faulted the maltreatment of migrants by some countries in Europe, saying the description of migrants as desperate, parasitic and less economically valuable group should be discarded by the countries involved.

    The Leader of the Nigerian delegation to the 133rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) holding in Geneva, Switzerland, Yusuf Lasun, said migrants represent an increased market size and purveyor of skilled labour.

    Lasun, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, said these in his address before the General Assembly on Tuesday.

    He, however, warned that before granting asylum to migrants, all states must collaborate with the International Police (INTERPOL) and take appropriate steps to ensure such persons had no link with terrorism.

    He said: “The scale, scope and complexity of migration in today’s world have been on the increase due to a number of push and pull factors.

    “These include but not limited to hard conflicts and terrorism which has created a pool of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), economic downturn especially in many countries leading millions of migrants in search of opportunities, social strife arising from religious fundamentalism, Xenophobia, ideological intolerances, natural disasters such as desertification, flooding, earthquake and volcanic eruptions.

    “I wish to remind us that when people migrate for any of these reasons, they carry along with them their fundamental human rights within the contest of the 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR).

    “Accordingly, whether migration within national boundaries or transnational borders, it is our responsibilities to evolve policies that respect the rights of refugees or asylum seekers.”

     

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  • Mark, Ihedioha urge African nations to assist Nigeria fight insurgency

    Mark, Ihedioha urge African nations to assist Nigeria fight insurgency

    SEnate President David Mark yesterday urged African countries to collaborate with Nigeria in the fight against insurgents in some states in the Northern part of the country.

    Mark spoke with reporters at the on-going 130th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

    He said the fight against terrorism had grown beyond the confines of a single nation which obviously demanded the collaboration of all nations to combat.

    The senate president said only peace and democracy would promote security in the land.

    He said all emphasis should be on democracy and global peace that would facilitate development.

    Mark said if all nations cooperate to fight insurgency, the perpetrators would have no hiding place.

    He said delegates to the Assembly were getting perspectives of other nations and how some of them solved similar problems in their domains.

    In a remark, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, said the growing insurgency was threatening and undermining the peace of the nation.

    He said; “all hands must be on deck to end the menace.”

    Ihedioha urged neighbouring African countries to support Nigeria to resolve this intractable issue of Boko Haram.

    Ihedioha said; “after the Nigerian civil war ended, never have we had our stability distracted as we have now.

    “We urge countries like Mali, Cameroun, Niger and other neighbouring countries to join forces to find solution to the problems,” he said.

    Ihedioha believed that the insurgents ravaging Nigeria were not only Nigerian citizens,  hence the cooperation of other countries had become necessary.

    Mark, who is leading the Nigerian delegation, will address the IPU at plenary, on peace and the way insurgency is being tackled in the country on Tuesday

     

     

  • Nigeria urges Mali, Cameroun, Niger to help crush Boko Haram

    Nigeria yesterday asked neighbouring countries, such as Mali, Cameroun and Niger to collaborate with it in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents.

    A statement by Senate President David Mark’s Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, said he (Mark) canvassed for this position at the ongoing 130th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

    Mark, according to the statement, noted that terrorism had grown beyond the confines of a nation, which demanded the collaboration of all nations to combat it.

    He said peace and democracy would promote security.

    The Senate President said emphasis should be on democracy and global peace to facilitate development.

    He was of the view that if all nations cooperated in the fight against insurgency, the perpetrators would have no hiding place.

    The statement quoted the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, as saying that insurgency was threatening and undermining peace.

    He said: “All hands must be on deck to end the menace.”

    Ihedioha urged neighbouring countries to support Nigeria to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

    He said: “Since the civil war ended, never have we had our stability distracted as we have now. We urge countries like Mali, Cameroun, Niger and others to join forces to find a solution to the problem.”

    Ihedioha said “the insurgents ravaging Nigeria are not our citizens, hence the cooperation of other countries has become necessary.”

  • Parliamentary union: Nigeria, Uganda protest exclusion of members

    Parliamentary union: Nigeria, Uganda protest exclusion of members

    Nigeria and Uganda on Tuesday strongly protested against the exclusion of some member countries from the on-going Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly conference in Quebec, Canada.

    Our correspondent covering the conference reports that Senate President, Senator David Mark, who led Nigerian delegation to the event, expressed the displeasure of the country over the development.

    Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, who is also part of the Nigerian delegation, said that the exclusion of some member countries was unacceptable to the country.

    It was discovered that the Canadian Government refused to grant visa to some member countries and in some cases individual parliamentarians who wanted to attend the conference.

    African countries, including Mali and Uganda and Syria were mostly affected in the visa refusal.

    Mark, who spoke to journalists after the plenary session of the conference, said that Canada was given the hosting right over United Kingdom with the understanding that all member countries would be treated fairly.

    He said that they were disturbed to discover that some member countries were refused entry visa by the Canadian authorities.

    The development, he said, must be addressed in the interest of the union.