Geneva, Switzerland — Advocates have asked the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to suspend Nigeria’s National Assembly over alleged human rights abuses and political intimidation.

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The petition, sent to IPU President . Tulia Ackson, Secretary General Martin Chungong, and UN observers Paddy Torsney and Brigitte Brenner, accuses the Senate of abusing power and persecuting Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The complaint builds on an earlier email dated May 16, 2025. It alleges that Senate leaders suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan after she reported sexual harassment by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. It says they also stripped her of security details, legislative aides, and constituency access without due process.

On June 19, 2025, authorities arraigned her in court on cyberbullying and defamation charges. She claims the charges are political payback for her allegations against Akpabio and former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello.

Both men face major corruption cases. The EFCC is probing Akpabio for allegedly mismanaging more than ₦100 billion. [Source: Punch]. Nigeria Bello faces charges of fraud and corruption totaling ₦110.4 billion.[Source: Vanguard Nigeria]

A video of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s court appearance has already stirred outrage online.

Dr. Baba Adam, who submitted the petition, urged the IPU to defend gender equality and parliamentary independence. He warned that ignoring the case would fuel impunity and further weaken democracy and women’s participation in Nigerian politics.

As of now, the IPU leadership has not responded.

This story is still developing.

A video of the Senator arriving at court for her arraignment has already sparked outrage online: Watch here