Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan alleges being sidelined in Senate, missing UN women’s event despite prompt response and limited female representation

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, raised concerns on the Senate floor over her alleged exclusion from certain committee activities.

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Speaking during the budget defence of the Committee on Women Affairs on Thursday, Natasha accused the Committee Chairman, Ireti Kingibe, of sidelining her and highlighted a lack of unity among female senators regarding a global women’s event.

The lawmaker expressed frustration over missing an invitation to attend the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) event in New York.

She stated that she was informed of the invitation and submitted her passport within three hours but was later told by the Ministry of Women Affairs that her response was “too late.”

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“I was only informed about the event yesterday at 1:00 pm, and I immediately responded with my passport. Despite my prompt response, I was subsequently told that I responded too late and would not be attending,” she said.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasised that she should not be treated differently from other female senators, particularly in matters concerning events focused on women’s empowerment.