By Adesina Soyooye
Urges Northern Senate Caucus to rally round Akpoti-Uduaghan
The scandalous allegation of se3ual harassment made against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Kogi Central, is still drawing reactions from individuals and groups.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had, sensationally, in an interview with the Arise Television’s crew on “The Morning Show”, a flagship programme, alleged that Akpabio was mistreating her in the Senate because she rejected his inappropriate requests.
That allegation has since taken over discourse in all news outlets in the Country with everybody, almost, weighing in, including Akpabio’s wife and Akpoti-Uduaghan’s husband, as well as a former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.
Not to be outdone, a group of, perhaps, hired women from Senate President Akpabio’s village in Akwa Ibom, took to the streets, carrying placards, and asked Akpoti-Uduaghan to leave their son alone.
Over the weekend, a serious group, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), weighed in. In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, it expressed deep worry over the scandalous allegation against Akpabio by Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Calling for a thorough investigation to unravel the truth, the ACF urged the Northern Caucus in the Senate to rally round Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to enable her get “a fair hearing and, ultimately, accorded treatment with all the deserved due respects that she is entitled to in the affairs of the Red Chamber.”
The Group also expressed worry over what it alleged is the diminishing image of the Senate under Akpabio’s leadership. It called on the National Assembly to:
“Always display exemplary behaviour, edifying comportment, display sensitivity, circumspection 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.”
The ACF continued:
“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 serious and solemn duty of law making 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.”
There are, already, two cases in Court. The first case was instituted by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio, his Aide, Patrick Mfon and the Federal Government claiming the sum of N100.3bn for alleged defamation and legal fees. The second is from Akpabio’s wife, Unoma. She sued Akpoti-Uduaghan for N250bn, claiming emotional trauma.
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