By Augustine Akhilomen
…This Is Unacceptable Ezekwesili Slams Senate Suspending Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
…You Lack Power, Legitimacy To Suspend Sitting Lawmaker – El-Rufai Reacts
…Senate Doing What’s Needful, Says Remi Tinubu
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has described her suspension from the Red Chambers as pure injustice that will not stand the test of time.
Recall that the suspension followed a report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, submitted to the Committee of the Whole, citing several infractions of the Rules and Orders of the Senate.
But a furious Senator Natasha faulted her suspension.
“This injustice would not stand,” the Kogi Central Senator said, vowing to continue the “pursuit for justice”.
Her suspension followed a recommendation by the Senate disciplinary committee which submitted its report to the lawmakers during plenary session on Thursday.
The committee probed allegations of sexual abuse and abuse of office against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
According to the committee, the 45-year-old lawyer had breached the Senate’s rules and thus should be suspended for six months.
Meanwhile, former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has condemned the decision of the Senate to suspend Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegation of sexual harassment leveled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a post on her X page on Thursday, Ezekwesili said the Senate would be doing itself a disservice if it treated the allegation lightly.
She also questioned the decision of the Senate to suspend the lawmaker, describing it as unacceptable.
“Our National Assembly, which comprises the Senate and House of Representatives, belongs to the Nigerian people and not to politicians of any stripe or status,” Ezekwesili said.
“This is why the National Assembly is called a public institution. No individual or group can capture a public institution and use it for personal benefit or advantage.
“Whenever a situation like the one involving Senators Natasha Akpoti and Akpabio arises, lawmakers must understand that the Nigerian public wants transparency and full disclosure.
“Dismissing a serious accusation against the Senate President, as the senators irresponsibly did yesterday, is a democratic aberration. It cannot stand. Never.
“What happened yesterday in the Senate chamber, where a Senate President presided over a grave matter involving him, was farcical and a blot on our democracy.
“It is in the public interest that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition be urgently given the seriousness it deserves to uphold the institutional integrity of our Senate.”
During the plenary on Thursday, the Kogi lawmaker resubmitted her petition against the Senate President.
However, the Senate’s Ethics Committee recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension for six months for engaging the Senate President in a heated debate over seating arrangements.
However, First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, says the Nigerian Senate, remains a “matured” institution that must be treated with respect.
She made the remarks while speaking with journalists at the State House Abuja on Thursday, according to a statement by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi.
The remarks come amid allegations of sexual harassment and abuse of power against the president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Speaking ahead of International Women’s Day, she dismissed concerns over the Senate’s handling of issues, insisting lawmakers are “doing what is needful.”
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who served in the Senate for 12 years, said the chamber should be a place of honour, not controversy.
She also urged Nigerian women to assert themselves in leadership.
“I know with what is going on in the Senate, you may say, why am I not taking a position? I believe that the Senate is doing what is needful because that’s what it is. It is an inside place and it’s a matured chamber. It’s a mature chamber, and it should be treated with respect. It’s an honour for you to be in that place alone.
“I was there for 12 years, even in my younger days, and I’m still trying to look young, but people compliment you all the time, only that, women raise yourself, don’t be in a position that men will be talking to you anyhow”.
Ahead of the International Women’s Day on March 8th, the First Lady celebrated the achievements of women all over the world but in Nigeria in particular.
She acknowledged the significant progress women have made over the decades, from the matriarchs of old to contemporary figures like Zuriel Oduwole, who champions peace.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu emphasised that Nigerian youths are equipped with what it takes to excel, urging women to continue lifting their heads high and doing their best.
Following her dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio who she accused of sexual harassment, the Senate has now suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghen for six months for violation of the Red Chambers rules.
Also, Bashir El-Rufai, son of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has slammed the Senate for suspending Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months.
Writing via his X handle, Bashir said, “It is important to note that the Nigerian Senate does not have the power nor the legitimacy to suspend a sitting Senator. It is illegal.
“This is a standalone tweet.”
Also reacting to the suspension, a popular media personality, Oseni Rufai, said, “The Senate is a tainted institution. It lacks transparency.