Monday, March 10, 2025 - The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, and the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations, CNCSOs, have condemned the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan.
Describing
the action as a “hurried and malicious” move to silence her, the group in a
statement on Monday, issued a 7-day ultimatum for Senate President, Godswill
Akpabio, to step aside, warning of mass protests and international mobilization
if their demand was not met.
Jointly
signed by the deputy national publicity secretary of the of CNPP, James Ezema
and the national secretary of the CNCSOs, Alhaji Ali Abacha, the organizations
accused the Senate of bias and disregard for due process.
They
alleged that Natasha’s six-month suspension was orchestrated in retaliation for
a petition she submitted accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment.
The
groups criticized the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public
Petitions for proceeding with disciplinary actions despite a Federal High Court
order restraining them from doing so.
Justice
Obiora Egwuatu had earlier granted the order after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team
filed an ex-parte application.
However,
the Senate ignored the ruling and went ahead with the suspension.
They further questioned the unusual speed with which the Senate investigated,
deliberated, and adopted the committee’s report.
“How can
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, as the Senate Leader, justify the urgency of this
process? This reek of bias and raises doubts about the integrity of the
proceedings,” the statement noted.
The
groups proposed that an expanded probe panel be constituted, with its
proceedings broadcast live by local and international media.
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