Despite the focus on women’s issues, Akpoti-Uduaghan was removed from the delegation and replaced by a male senator, Adeniyi Adegbonmire.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier raised concerns during a meeting of the Senate Committee on Appropriations on February 25, alleging she was sidelined after initially being invited by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to be part of the delegation.
According to Premium Times, the ministry had requested the photo page of her international passport, which she submitted within hours, but later informed her that she would no longer attend the event because the details were submitted late.
However, the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Ireti Kingibe, had earlier denied that the Kogi senator was removed from the delegation.
Kingibe explained that she recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan for the trip after two other female senators — Idiat Adebule and Ipalibo Banigo — declined the invitation.
She had assured Akpoti-Uduaghan that she would be included in the delegation and stated that if the Kogi lawmaker did not attend, she would also stay back.
However, in a letter dated March 5 addressed to Akpoti-Uduaghan, Kingibe explained that the Ministry of Women Affairs had yet to respond to the request to sponsor members of the delegation.
She added that the Senate had eventually approved only two members for the trip — herself and Adegbonmire.
“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 stated.
Kingibe apologised for any inconvenience caused and advised Akpoti-Uduaghan to join the delegation personally if she already had a valid United States visa.
