PDP condemns Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, calls for open investigation
Story from Hamzat Ibrahim
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate, following her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The party described the action as an attempt to cover up the serious accusation and undermine parliamentary integrity.
The PDP in a statement on Friday criticised the Senate leadership for suspending Akpoti-Uduaghan without an open investigation, stating that it contradicts the principles of fair hearing and legislative due process. The party also argued that the six-month suspension unfairly denies the people of Kogi Central Senatorial Zone their constitutional right to representation in the Senate.
“It is scandalous, and amounts to gross abuse of office and violation of the fundamentals of justice and fair hearing for Senator Akpabio to sit as a judge in a matter in which he is the accused; a situation which validates public apprehension of a desperation by the embattled Senate President to suppress open legislative probe into the allegation of sexual harassment levelled against him,” the PDP said.
The party further recalled that this was not the first time Akpabio had faced such allegations. “The current episode in the Senate reminds Nigerians of the allegation of sexual harassment levelled against Senator Akpabio by the former acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Joi Nunieh.”
The PDP insisted that if Akpabio had nothing to hide, he should have stepped aside to allow an impartial investigation. “If Senator Akpabio has nothing to hide, what Nigerians expected of him was to clear his name by stepping aside in line with established parliamentary practice, allow and submit to an open and unbiased investigation into the allegation of sexual harassment by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.”
The controversy has raised concerns over the Senate’s credibility. “It is indeed a national embarrassment that the person of the Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly is being mentioned in a case of sexual harassment which has now tarred the image and integrity of the highest lawmaking body in Nigeria,” the statement added.
READ ALSO: Unjust suspension invalidates the principles of natural justice: Senator Natasha
The PDP also criticised Akpabio’s leadership, stating that the Senate had been embroiled in multiple scandals under his tenure. “More distressing is the fact that since Senator Akpabio assumed office as the Senate President, the leadership of the Senate has been largely unfocused and constantly embroiled in scandals including allegations of financial impropriety as well as negligence and abdication of its constitutional duty of checks and balances to the excesses of the Executive Arm to the detriment of millions of Nigerians.”
The party further pointed to unresolved corruption allegations against Akpabio. “Moreover, Nigerians can recall that there are pending investigations before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegation of looting of N108.1 billion belonging to Akwa Ibom State under Senator Akpabio’s watch as Governor as well as alleged N86 billion contract scam in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) during his tenure as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.”
With protests already taking place at the National Assembly over the issue, the PDP urged the Senate to act. “Given the height of public anxiety on this allegation of sexual harassment which has already escalated into protests at the National Assembly, the PDP urges the Senate to redeem its image and integrity by immediately reinstating Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and ensuring an open investigation into the matter.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a first-term senator from Kogi Central, made headlines when she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment. Her claims led to a heated session in the Senate, culminating in her suspension.
Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom and ex-Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, has denied all allegations against him.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp:
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
 has strongly condemned){kind=link}