Analysts Call For Akpabio’s Recusal Amid Natasha Allegations

A former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Enugu State, Dr Ben Nwoye, Monday, said Senate President Godswill Akpabio, ought to have recused himself from presiding over the allegations brought against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central in the Senate.

The Kogi-born senator had accused Sen Akpabio of sexual harassment.

This followed the change of the sitting arrangements in the Senate, which Natasha felt was made to undermine her contributions in the Senate.

Nwoye said both Akpabio and Natasha fell short of expectations by not following Senate rules in managing their differences.

He said, “Senators read the Red Book on assumption of office. Whatever happened between Natasha and Akpabio should have been handled within the Senate floor. Akpabio is the president and has the right to determine where one sits. The problem was not well managed.

“There are rules which Senate President Godswill Akpabio exercises, but he did not use his discretion very well in this matter. He shouldn’t preside over his own case.

“He should have recused himself. He has a deputy, whom he should have allowed to deliberate on the petition brought against him.

“Allowing himself to sit over the matter makes the entire matter an old boys’ club. Indeed, justice has not been done to Natasha.”

The chairman, Guild of Public Affairs Analysts, Enugu State chapter, Dr Ambrose Igboke, also faulted Akpabio for acting as an executive president of the Senate.

According to him, “He should realise that he is superintending over his equals. He is not superior to his colleagues.

“He makes it a pupil-teacher relationship. There are rules in the Senate, but in this case, Akpabio is making his power absolute.

“The rule says he can change seats, but not without notifying his colleagues.

“There is a need for proper leadership training for our leaders. Both Akpabio and Natasha didn’t show any level of leadership skills.

“That other senators did not challenge the arrangement does not mean they accepted the sudden change. Akpabio needs emotional intelligence.”

Analysts Call For Akpabio’s Recusal Amid Natasha Allegations is first published on The Whistler Newspaper