New Saga: Women Supporting Women? Natasha Alleges Sideline by Ireti Kingibe

Tension briefly surfaced at the Senate during the budget defence of the Committee on Women Affairs as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the Committee Chairman, Ireti Kingibe, of sidelining her from certain committee activities.

The incident occurred during the presentation of the committee’s budget before the Senate Committee on Appropriations. While contributing to discussions on the need for increased funding for agencies under the Ministry of Women Affairs, Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed concern over what she described as a lack of inclusion among the four female senators in the chamber.

She disclosed that she was informed by her staff about an invitation to attend the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) event in New York, a United Nations programme focused on global women’s issues, and was asked to submit her passport details. According to her, she responded within hours, only to later be told that she would no longer attend because her response was deemed late.

The Kogi Central lawmaker said the development raised concerns about unity and coordination among female legislators, stressing that such issues could send the wrong message about solidarity among women leaders in Nigeria. She questioned why she was allegedly notified late if the committee had earlier knowledge of the event.

“I am not under suspension and I should not be treated differently,” she stated, adding that harmony among women in leadership positions is critical to advancing the interests of Nigerian women.

In her response, Senator Kingibe clarified that Akpoti-Uduaghan was included in the list of nominees for the CSW event. She explained that two other female senators , Ipalibo Banigo, former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, and Oluranti Adebule, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State had declined to attend.