The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate, calling it an attempt to suppress allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the PDP criticized the Senate leadership for suspending Akpoti-Uduaghan without an open investigation.
“The hasty suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan without an open investigation into the weighty allegation of sexual harassment against the Senate President not only negates the principle of fair hearing, especially in parliamentary convention, but also portrays the Senate as an institution that endorses, condones, and offers protection to reprobacy,” the PDP stated.
The party described the six-month suspension as excessive, arguing that it denies the people of Kogi Central Senatorial Zone their constitutional right to representation.
“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. This situation validates public apprehension of a desperation by the embattled Senate President to suppress open legislative probe into the allegation of sexual harassment leveled against him,” the statement read.
The PDP recalled that Akpabio had previously been accused of sexual harassment by the former acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Joi Nunieh.
“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, allowing and submitting to an open and unbiased investigation,” the party stated.
The PDP also pointed to broader concerns about the Senate President’s leadership.
“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,” the statement added.
The party referenced corruption allegations against Akpabio, including the alleged looting of N108.1 billion from Akwa Ibom State during his tenure as governor and an N86 billion contract scandal in the NDDC when he served as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
With protests erupting over the matter, the PDP called for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reinstatement and a transparent investigation.
“The Senate must redeem its image and integrity by immediately reinstating Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and ensuring an open investigation into the matter,” the party demanded.