The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria has threatened to embark on widespread protests if the Senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, fails to provide “concrete evidence” to substantiate her allegations of sexual harassment against President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The group issued the threat at a press conference held at Arewa House in Kaduna, addressed by its National President, Isah Abubakar.
Speaking at the press conference, Tuesday, Abubakar described the allegations as “a matter of grave concern that has captured the attention of our nation.”
He further said: “The allegations of sexual harassment against Senator Godswill Akpabio are serious and demand immediate and transparent action.
“As representatives of the youth and concerned citizens of Northern Nigeria, we believe that integrity, transparency, and accountability are the cornerstone of our democracy.
“Allegations of this nature not only impact the individuals involved but also have far-reaching implications for the reputation of our legislative body and the trust that the public places in our political system.”
Charging Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to make haste to provide evidence to back up her allegations, Abubakar said: “We must stress that unsubstantiated claims can lead to irreversible damage to reputations and can perpetuate a cycle of mistrust within our political institutions”.
He further said: “We believe that our leaders must be held to the highest standards of conduct. Therefore, we urge you to take immediate and decisive action in addressing this critical issue. We implore you to communicate your next steps clearly to the public, as transparency in this matter is paramount.
“Should there be a failure to provide evidence or to take appropriate action regarding these allegations, we, as the Northern Youth Council, will have no choice but to mobilise and organise significant protests. These demonstrations will call for accountability and justice, not only for the alleged victims but also for the integrity of our political institutions.”
Abubakar assured that Northern youths “stand united in our commitment to combat all forms of harassment and to ensure that our leaders exemplify the highest moral and ethical standards.”
“We call upon you to act responsibly in this matter and to help restore faith in our political system,” he added.
