Natasha: ACF Seeks Probe, Rues Senate’s Image Under Akpabio
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called for an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment levelled against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The ACF, in a statement on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, said the Forum was highly disturbed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations against Akpabio.
The Forum called on the Northern Caucus in the Senate to rally around Akpoti-Uduaghan to ensure that she gets a fair hearing.
It also stressed the need for the female senator to be accorded respect, rights, and privileges she deserved as a serving senator.
The northern sociopolitical group urged the National Assembly “to always display exemplary behaviour, edifying comportment, display sensitivity, circumspection, and personal discipline and be above board in matters of ethics, decorum, moral rectitude, and integrity, qualities that are sorely needed but which, very sadly, appear to be in deficit in the way the 10th Senate is being run.”
Continuing, the Forum said, “Inevitably, many persons and groups have been out there in the public space with strong opinions on the matter. Even Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s husband has been forced to publicly comment on the matter, and all such public interventions have the potential to bring into disrepute a body empowered to make laws for Nigeria.
“As things now stand, in the eyes of the general public, the allegations in question portend definite negative implications for the national and international public image of the Red Chamber of Nigeria’s National Assembly. While the imbroglio lasts, the interests of the people of Kogi Central are not being adequately represented in the 10th Senate.
“While perhaps far-fetched, ACF rues the development and hopes that it is not part of the thinly veiled anti-Arewa agenda now pervading the Nigerian political process. It does seem that to date, only Senators from the North have been subjected to heavy sanctions, such as suspensions, in the 10th Senate.
“In the event, ACF wonders if the unfolding events constitute a pattern or are cruel coincidences at work! Putting it mildly, the public image of the leadership of the 10th Senate is now less than inspiring. ACF therefore joins concerned Nigerians in wishing that the saga be brought to an end soonest. An independent, open, transparent, and thorough investigation, devoid of fear, favour or interference of any kind, from any quarters, be conducted. This will be necessary to allow the Senate to return, as it should, to the solemn duty of lawmaking for Nigeria, at a period when citizens are being overwhelmed by dire existential living conditions on account of the impact of public policies on lives and livelihoods.”
Natasha: ACF Seeks Probe, Rues Senate’s Image Under Akpabio is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
