The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed worry over the over alleged sexual harassment controversy between the Senator representing Kogi State central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
It warned that the matter has the potential to bring into disrepute a body empowered to make laws for Nigeria, adding that the allegations in question portend definite negative implications for the national and international public image of the National Assembly.
The statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba called on the Northern Caucus in the red chamber to rally round Senator Akpoti to enable her get justice.
It regretted that previous records had shown that only Northern senators have been subjected to heavy sanctions such as suspension from the red chamber, warning that Akpoti must be accorded due respect and treatment in the matter.
“Allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation have since been brought into the fray by the embattled Senator Natasha, which continue to make rounds in the media and indeed taken centre stage in many a discourse relating to the controversy. Inevitably, many persons and groups have been out there in the public space with strong opinions on the matter.
“Even Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s husband has been forced to publicly comment on the matter and all such public interventions have the potential to bring into disrepute a body empowered to make laws for Nigeria. As things now stand, in the eyes of the general public the allegations in question portend definite negative implications for the national and international public image of the Red Chamber of Nigeria’s National Assembly. While the imbroglio lasts, the interests of the people of Kogi Central are not being adequately represented in the 10th Senate.
“While perhaps far-fetched, ACF rues the development and hopes that it is not part of the thinly-veiled anti-Arewa agenda now pervading the Nigerian political process. It does seem that to date, only Senators from the North have been subjected to heavy sanctions, such as suspensions, in the 10th Senate.
“In the event, ACF wonders if the unfolding events constitute a pattern or are cruel coincidences at work! Putting it mildly, the public image of the leadership of the 10th Senate is now less than inspiring. ACF therefore:(i) joins concerned Nigerians in wishing that the saga be brought to an end soonest. An independent, open, transparent and thorough investigation, devoid of fear, favour or interference of any kind, from any quarters be conducted.
“This will be necessary to allow Senate to return, as it should, to the serious and solemn duty of law making for Nigeria, at a period when citizens are being overwhelmed by dire existential living conditions on account of the impact public policies on lives and livelihoods; calls on the Northern Caucus in the 10th Senate to rally round Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan so that she gets a fair hearing and, ultimately, accorded treatment with all the deserved due respects that she is entitled to in the affairs of the Red Chamber; and calls on the leadership and membership of the National Assembly to always display exemplary behaviour, edifying comportment, display sensitivity, circumspection personal discipline and be above board in matters of ethics, decorum, moral rectitude and integrity, qualities that are sorely needed but which, very sadly, appear to be in deficit in the way the 10th Senate is being run.
“The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is highly disturbed by the emerging controversy in the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria emanating from an altercation between the Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central,” the statement said.
