The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has picked holes over the suspension of the Senator representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, by the Senate.
PDP in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, said the Senator was hastily suspended without an investigation into her allegation of sexual harassment against the President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio.
This, the party stated, not only negates the principle of fair hearing especially in parliamentary convention but portrayed the Senate as an institution that endorses reprobacy.
PDP also said that the six months suspension on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was too harsh, adding that her absence for such a long time will deny the people of Kogi Central senatorial zone of 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,” the party stated.
It expressed the fear that it is a ploy by the Senate to suppress open legislative probe into the allegation of sexual harassment leveled against the Senate President.
PDP noted that this was not be the first time Senator Akpabio was accused of sexual harassment.
“The current episode in the Senate reminds Nigerians of the allegation of sexual harassment leveled against Senator Akpabio by the former acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Joi Nunieh,” the party recalled.
It argued that if Senator Akpabio has nothing to hide, he should step aside in line with established parliamentary practice, and submit to an open and unbiased investigation to clear his name.
“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.
“Ordinarily under this situation the Senate President needs no prodding to step aside for an independent investigation to clear his name,” the party demanded.
PDP noted 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.”
It alleged of 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 N86 billion contract scam in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) during his tenure as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
“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.”
