Sexual Harassment: Afenifere Warns Against Sacrificing Akpabio
The Pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has called for a proper and thorough investigation into the sexual harassment allegation leveled against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, by a female member of the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti.
Afenifere on Monday in a statement by its Organizing Secretary, Kole Omololu, cautioned against making Akpabio suffer for a crime he never committed.
“We are hopeful that such a committed patriot will not be sacrificed on the altar of unproven allegations by an accuser,” it said.
The group noted that the contribution of Akpabio to the government of President Bola Tinubu should be considered as more important than Akpoti’s sexual harassment allegation.
There have been calls for the removal of the Senate President since last week when the allegation of sexual harassment was made against him.
“We in Afenifere note and appreciate the political stability engendered by the calm, thoughtful, and patriotic leadership of the National Assembly by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who has been most instrumental in engineering one of the few eras in the history of democratic governance in Nigeria where we have enjoyed Executive/Legislative synergy.
“We are hopeful that such a committed patriot will not be sacrificed on the altar of unproven allegations by an accuser.
“Of course, the allegations should be investigated by a Senate Committee. But we cannot help but notice that they were made after the Senate President’s act of just discipline against Senator Natasha Akpoti.
“Hopefully, this is not a knee-jerk reaction made in a highly emotional state by the disciplined party.
“That being the case, the nation has to be careful in assessing these allegations, as they may or may not result from animosity toward that disciplinary measure.
“But whatever the case, Afenifere, without passing any judgment on the accuser and her accusations, based on his history and credibility, extends the right hand of fellowship to Senator Godswill Akpabio and commends him for being a steady hand during these times of political, economic, and social reforms of the Renewed Hope agenda,” Afenifere said.
Sexual Harassment: Afenifere Warns Against Sacrificing Akpabio is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
