The PDP condemned Akpoti-uduaghan’s suspension and called on Akpabio to resign for a fair investigation.
Nigeria News Nalin The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, saying it was an abuse of legislative power.
Her moratorium was approved Thursday, March 6 after the Senate passed the recommendations from the Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition Committee.
Under this decision, Akpoti-Uduaghan was banned from all legislative activities on Thursday, March 6 for six months.
PDP spokesman Debo Ologunagba said in a statement that the suspension was a violation of parliamentary norms and the right to a fair hearing.
The party argued that such a long period of unfairness had taken Akpoti-uduaghan for a period of time, thus depriving her of her representation in the Senate.
The PDP also criticized Senate President Godswill Akpabio for overseeing the proceedings because he was a case involving a personal connection and believed he should withdraw himself to ensure fairness.
“The PDP asserted that the actions of the Senate leaders under Akpabio-led were a cover of despair by Senator Akpoti-uduaghan,” the statement said.
“The party has observed that the hasty suspension of Senator Akpoti-uduaghan, without publicly investigating allegations of sexual harassment by the Senate president, not only denies the principle of a fair hearing, especially in parliamentary practice, but also describes the Senate as a body endorsing, compulsing, compulsing, mandatory protection of probate protection.
“In addition, the six months of Senator Akpoti-uduaghan were too harsh, which translated into denying the constitutional rights of the people of Kogi Central Senate to represent in the Senate.
“This is a scandal that constitutes serious abuse of the position, a violation of Senator Akpabio’s judicial and fair hearing to sit down as a judge as he was charged with the accused; this situation confirms public concerns about the embattled Senate president to suppress an open legislative investigation to charge allegations of sexual harassment against him.”
The PDP accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of having a history of sexual harassment allegations, referring to similar claims previously made by Joi Nunieh, former acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Opposition parties have called on Akpabio to resign, insisting that an open and impartial investigation should be conducted against allegations filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-uduaghan.
“Given the height of the public’s allegations of sexual harassment, which has escalated into the National Assembly protest, the PDP urged the Senate to immediately restore Senator Akputi-Udoagen and ensure that the matter is openly investigated to redeem his image and integrity.”
