How I Got Access To Attend IPU Meeting In New York – Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has revealed how she attended the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York despite not being officially nominated by the Nigerian government.

In an exclusive interview with Premium Times, Akpoti-Uduaghan explained that she registered online as a senator, leveraging her previous participation in IPU meetings.

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According to Premium Times, the stated that her name was already on IPU’s mailing list, which facilitated her accreditation.

“I registered online as a senator. My suspension does not remove my legitimacy.

I had attended the same event last year and was already on their mailing list.

Once I got my pass, I personally funded my trip,” she said.

She previously attended the 148th IPU General Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, in March 2024, alongside Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, and Senator Ekpenyong Asuquo.

Akpoti-Uduaghan clarified that she traveled to New York using a regular Nigerian passport, not an official one.

Despite her six-month suspension from the Senate, she insisted that she remains the legitimate representative of her constituency.

She further alleged that plans were underway to arrest her upon her return to Nigeria.