Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Removed from UN Women's Delegation, Replaced by Male Senator
The Nigerian Senate has made a controversial decision to remove Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, from Nigeria's official delegation to the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. This significant international event, currently underway in New York City, United States, focuses on critical issues of gender equality and improving access to justice for women and girls globally.
Details of the Removal and Replacement
Despite the commission's explicit focus on women's rights and empowerment, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was replaced by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, a male lawmaker. The CSW70 session commenced on March 9 at the United Nations headquarters and will continue through March 19, bringing together representatives from member states to address pressing gender-related challenges.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously raised concerns during a Senate Committee on Appropriations meeting on February 25, alleging that she was being sidelined after initially receiving an invitation from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to participate in the delegation. According to reports from Premium Times, the ministry requested the photo page of her international passport, which she promptly submitted within hours. However, she was later informed that she would no longer attend the event due to allegedly late submission of her details.
Conflicting Accounts and Committee Chair's Explanation
The Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Senator Ireti Kingibe, initially denied that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had been removed from the delegation. Kingibe explained that she had recommended the Kogi senator for the trip after two other female senators, Idiat Adebule and Ipalibo Banigo, declined their invitations. She had assured Akpoti-Uduaghan of her inclusion and even stated that if the Kogi lawmaker did not attend, she would also stay back in solidarity.
However, in a letter dated March 5 addressed to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, Kingibe provided a different explanation. She stated that the Ministry of Women Affairs had not yet responded to the request to sponsor members of the delegation. Furthermore, she revealed that the Senate had eventually approved only two members for the trip: herself, in her capacity as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, and Senator Adegbonmire Adeniyi Ayodele, who serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters.
Official Confirmation and Apology
"For the sake of clarity, I can confirm that at this stage, only two members of the Senate have been officially nominated by the Senate President and have confirmed registration: myself, in my capacity as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, and Senator Adegbonmire Adeniyi Ayodele, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters," the letter explicitly stated. Senator Kingibe apologized for any inconvenience caused and advised Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to join the delegation personally if she already possessed a valid United States visa.
This development has sparked discussions about gender representation and the alignment of Nigeria's delegation with the core objectives of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, which aims to advance gender equality and empower women worldwide.
