Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has been removed from Nigeria’s delegation to the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) currently taking place in New York, United States.
The international conference, which began on March 9 at the United Nations headquarters and runs until March 19, focuses on improving access to justice for women and girls and advancing gender equality among member states.
Despite the conference’s focus on women’s rights and empowerment, Akpoti-Uduaghan was replaced in the Nigerian delegation by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, a male lawmaker.
The Kogi senator had earlier raised concerns during a Senate Committee on Appropriations meeting on February 25, stating that she had been sidelined after initially being invited by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to attend the event.
According to Premium Times, the ministry had requested the photo page of her international passport, which she reportedly submitted shortly thereafter.
However, she was later informed that she would no longer be able to participate in the conference because her details were allegedly submitted late.
Earlier, the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Senator Ireti Kingibe, had dismissed reports suggesting that Akpoti-Uduaghan had been removed from the delegation.
Kingibe explained that she had nominated the Kogi senator for the trip after two other female lawmakers — Idiat Adebule and Ipalibo Banigo — declined the invitation.
She had also assured Akpoti-Uduaghan that she would be included in the team, even stating that she would personally withdraw from the trip if the Kogi senator was not allowed to attend.
However, in a letter dated March 5, Kingibe clarified that the Ministry of Women Affairs had not responded to a request to sponsor additional members of the delegation.
She stated that the Senate eventually approved only two representatives for the conference.
“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… and Senator Adegbonmire Adeniyi Ayodele,” Kingibe wrote.
She also apologised for any inconvenience caused and informed Akpoti-Uduaghan that she could still attend the conference independently if she already has a valid United States visa.
