PDP Faults Natasha’s Suspension, Tells Akpabio To Submit Self For Open Probe

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the six-month suspension slammed on Senator representing Kogi Central following her face-off with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over seating preparations within the pink chamber.

The PDP mentioned the motion of the Akpabio-led Senate management towards Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan smacked of a desperation to cowl up.

Nationwide Publicity Secretary of PDP, Hon Debo Ologunagab mentioned the hasty suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan with out an open investigation into the weighty allegation of sexual harassment towards the Senate President negates the truthful listening to precept particularly in parliamentary conference and portrays the Senate as an establishment that endorses, condones and provides safety to reprobacy.

Ologunagba, in a press release mentioned the excessively harsh six-months suspension on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan interprets to denying the individuals of Kogi Central Senatorial Zone their Constitutional proper of being represented within the Senate.

“It’s scandalous, and quantities to gross abuse of workplace and violation of the basics of justice and truthful listening to for Senator Akpabio to sit down as a choose in a matter through which he’s the accused; a state of affairs which validates public apprehension of a desperation by the embattled Senate President to suppress open legislative probe into the allegation of sexual harassment leveled towards him,” Ologunagba mentioned.

The PDP spokesman recalled that the Akpoti-Uduaghan saga was not the primary time Senator Akpabio was accused of sexual harassment.

“The present episode within the Senate reminds Nigerians of the allegation of sexual harassment leveled towards Senator Akpabio by the previous appearing Managing Director of the Niger Delta Improvement Fee (NDDC), Dr Joi Nunieh.

“If Senator Akpabio has nothing to cover, what Nigerians anticipated of him was to clear his identify by stepping apart consistent with established parliamentary observe, permit and undergo an open and unbiased investigation into the allegation of sexual harassment by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“It’s certainly a nationwide embarrassment that the individual of the Senate President and Chairman of the Nationwide Meeting is being talked about in a case of sexual harassment which has now tarred the picture and integrity of the best lawmaking physique in Nigeria.

“Ordinarily underneath this example, the Senate President wants no prodding to step apart for an unbiased investigation to clear his identify.

“Extra distressing is the truth that since Senator Akpabio assumed workplace because the Senate President, the management of the Senate has been largely unfocused and always embroiled in scandals together with allegations of monetary impropriety in addition to negligence and abdication of its constitutional responsibility of checks and balances to the excesses of the Govt Arm to the detriment of tens of millions of Nigerians.

“Furthermore, Nigerians can recall that there are pending investigations earlier than the {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee (EFCC) over allegation of looting of N108.1 billion belonging to Akwa Ibom State underneath Senator Akpabio’s watch as Governor in addition to alleged N86 billion contract rip-off within the Niger Delta Improvement Fee (NDDC) throughout his tenure as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

“Given the peak of public nervousness on this allegation of sexual harassment which has already escalated into protests on the Nationwide Meeting, the PDP urges the Senate to redeem its picture and integrity by instantly reinstating Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and guaranteeing an open investigation into the matter,” PDP mentioned.