Opposition political parties in Nigeria have berated the Senate and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over the suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The Senate imposed a six-month suspension on the lawmaker without pay over what it called the breach of its Standing Orders following her claim of sexual harassment, an allegation that Akpabio denied.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) criticized the Senate for the way and manner it handled the sexual harassment petition filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio.
Reacting to the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, the PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, criticized Akpabio for not stepping down to allow an independent investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against him.
Osadolor described the six-month suspension imposed on Uduaghan-Akpoti as shameful.
The PDP youth leader equally criticized opposition lawmakers for failing to speak out and make their voices heard when it mattered most.
He stated, “The Senate President should have excused himself; he wasn’t truly a man of integrity. He should have stepped aside and allowed the investigation to proceed. I was deeply moved by this, and I’m sure every person of goodwill would be as well.
“Natasha could have been our sister, our wife, our daughter, or our mother. To see them all gang up and use state power and bureaucracy to silence her voice is shameful. For me, it was even more shameful for the opposition members on the floor of the Senate. They failed to speak up when it mattered.
“They were trying to stay in Akpabio’s good books. Looking at the whole situation, no one could stand up to be counted because they didn’t want to be kicked out or labeled as rebels. It’s a shame. But I believe Natasha has made her points. Though the majority will have their way, the minority will also have their day.”
The leadership of the Labour Party has called on the Nigerian Senate to reconsider the suspension of the legislator.
In an interview, the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, described the verdict as a disheartening and shoddy arrangement.
He said, “The suspension is draconian. The woman, I am told, was not given the opportunity to properly defend herself. That is where I and most Nigerians have issues. Please keep in mind she is representing an entire senatorial zone with eight or more local governments.
“Asking her not to be in the Senate for six months is undemocratic. The Labour Party stands for gender inclusivity. If the woman said that injustice was done, then they should critically look at the woman’s complaint. But unilaterally suspending her without hearing her out is injustice.
“The Labour Party does not support that. So, I think they should bring her back and revisit her case. If she says that there was an allegation of sexual harassment, at least you should look into it, and whoever is involved should clear himself of that.
“But we discovered the person is even the judge in a matter that concerns him. Where is that done? So, I think that matter should be revisited.”
The National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, (NNPP) Ladipo Johnson, expressed shock at the outcome.
According to him, the complaint brought to the floor of the Senate should have been properly investigated before an action was taken.
“Well, should someone be suspended for raising an issue fundamental to her well-being and others? That’s one question. There’s another argument about her sitting position. When Akpabio argued about his sitting position in the past, was he also suspended?
“If a person is saying that certain thing happened to me, and you strike it out on a technicality, saying that she signed it herself or something. You haven’t even gone into the details or the merits of the matter to know whether she lied or she was right.
“Instead, you punished the person by suspending her for six months and withholding her allowances, salary, and other benefits. It doesn’t seem straightforward to me. That’s all I’ll say,” he stated.
