ATIKU, PDP BLAME AKPABIO FOR NOT STEPPING DOWN OVER SEXUAL ALLEGATIONS AS NATASHA CHALLENGES SUSPENSION IN COURT

Oladipupo Olamiposi
@olamiposioladipupo247606
26 days ago

The Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, will challenge in court the six-month suspension slammed on her following her face-off with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over seating arrangements in the red chamber.

This is as the legal counsel to the Kogi lawmaker, Victor Giwa, who spoke with journalists after Natasha was walked out from the National Assembly complex, dismissed the Senate resolution as a violation of a court order.

Giwa insisted that the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges acted in violation of a court order that allegedly restrained it from taking further action on the matter pending the determination of a motion on notice.

He also expressed conviction that with a court order explicitly directing the Senate to halt disciplinary actions, the decision to suspend her is null and void.

Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned that Nigerian leaders are not creating an environment that enables women to thrive and contribute to the country’s development.

Atiku gave the warning today through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, following the suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate.

Atiku described the Senate’s decision as an attack on affirmative action, stating that any society that does not optimally use the assets available to it, particularly by giving women the opportunity to thrive, is failing.

In the same vein, the Peoples’ Democratic Party Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor criticised Akpabio for not stepping down to allow an independent investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against him.

Osadolor described the six-month suspension imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan as shameful.