By Hagxy Don
The Department of State Services (DSS) is reportedly considering an investigation into Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over her participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting. However, this move has sparked a wave of controversy, with legal experts warning that it could backfire on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has cautioned that such a probe would not only be futile but could also expose uncomfortable parallels between the current government and past military regimes. He referenced the notorious practice of the Sani Abacha junta, which once sought to suppress international engagements by opposition figures.
“The SSS and NIA may study the report of the investigation of our illegal traveling by the Sani Abacha military junta before embarking on the futile attempt to probe Senator Natasha Akpoti for having the temerity to externalise the internal affairs of the Senate,” Falana stated, implying that history is repeating itself in a dangerous manner.
This development raises critical questions: Is the government walking into an avoidable scandal? Will investigating a senator for engaging in an international parliamentary meeting not serve as a self-inflicted embarrassment?
More strikingly, Falana hinted that some top officials in President Tinubu’s administration were once guilty of the same alleged “offense” when they traveled abroad to challenge the military dictatorship. If these past actions were justified under Abacha’s oppressive rule, why should Akpoti-Uduaghan’s participation in an international parliamentary event now be treated as a threat?
The IPU, the world’s largest parliamentary organization, serves as a platform for lawmakers to engage in global discourse. Nigerian representatives have long attended its meetings without controversy. Targeting Akpoti-Uduaghan for this could set a troubling precedent for Nigeria’s democracy and damage the country’s image on the international stage.
Critics argue that instead of silencing dissenting voices, the administration should focus on governance and addressing the economic and security challenges facing Nigerians. If the probe goes ahead, it may ultimately do more harm than good—embarrassing the government rather than its intended target.