PDP has condemned Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension and called for Akpabio’s resignation for a fair probe.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, calling it an abuse of legislative power.
Her suspension was approved on Thursday, March 6, after the Senate adopted the recommendations of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
Under the decision, Akpoti-Uduaghan is barred from all legislative activities for six months, effective Thursday, March 6.
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In a statement, PDP spokesperson Debo Ologunagba described the suspension as a violation of parliamentary norms and the right to a fair hearing.
The party argued that sidelining Akpoti-Uduaghan for such a prolonged period unfairly deprives her constituents of representation in the Senate.
The PDP also criticized Senate President Godswill Akpabio for overseeing proceedings on a case in which he was personally implicated, arguing that he should have recused himself to ensure fairness.
“The PDP asserts that the action of the Akpabio-led Senate leadership against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan smacks of a desperation to cover up,” the statement read.
“The Party observes that the hasty suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan without an open investigation into the weighty allegation of sexual harassment against the Senate President not only negates the principle of fair hearing, especially in parliamentary convention, but also portrays the Senate as an institution that endorses, condones and offers protection to reprobacy.
“Also, the excessively harsh six months suspension on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan translates to denying the people of Kogi Central Senatorial Zone their Constitutional right of being represented in the Senate.
“It is scandalous, and amounts to gross abuse of office and violation of the fundamentals of justice and fair hearing for Senator Akpabio to sit as a judge in a matter in which he is the accused; a situation which validates public apprehension of a desperation by the embattled Senate President to suppress open legislative probe into the allegation of sexual harassment leveled against him”.
The PDP accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of having a history of sexual harassment allegations, referencing similar claims previously made by Joi Nunieh, former acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The opposition party called for Akpabio to step down from his position, insisting that an open and impartial investigation should be conducted into the accusations brought forward by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“Given the height of public anxiety on this allegation of sexual harassment which has already escalated into protests at the National Assembly, the PDP urges the Senate to redeem its image and integrity by immediately reinstating Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and ensuring an open investigation into the matter,” the statement added.
