LP Supporters Protest Natasha’s Suspension In Abuja

Some Labour Party supporters on Tuesday protested against the suspension of the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for gross misconduct.

The protesters, led by LP National Youth Leader Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, also filed a petition urging a severe sanction to be meted out to LP legislators and Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, over his role in the matter.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had petitioned the senate for sexual harassment allegation against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

She was then handed a six-month suspension following a recommendation by Imasuen’s committee after her petition was dismissed at a probe hearing.

The Edo South Senator stated that the petition was “dead on arrival,” citing a breach of Order 40 of the Senate Standing Order.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Ahanotu expressed disappointment in the manner Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended without any opposition lawmaker coming to her rescue.

The LP chieftain urged the leadership of the Senate to consider rescinding its decision and revisit the case again.

He said, “We, the Nigerian youths, have, in clear terms, condemned such rascality perpetrated by the Ethics and Privilege committee led by Neda Imasuen in clear violation of an order of the court. Given such a hasty decision to suspend Natasha, Imasuen and his subsequent posturing have no doubt left everyone in shock.

“We, therefore, make the following demands: That the 10th Senate should immediately rescind the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and reconstitute a morally and mentally balanced committee to do proper investigative hearing of the matter to salvage the already tainted image of the 10th Senate.

“We demand that Senator Neda Imasuen be recused from the reconstituted Committee. The Nigerians Youths are, by this statement, calling on the people of Edo South to immediately commence a recall process for Senator Neda Imasuen for his poor representation and conduct at the Senate.”

Continuing, Ahanotu noted that they were even more disappointed that Imasuen allegedly allowed himself to be used as a willing tool in the hands of Natasha’s oppressors.

He, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the matter to save Nigeria’s fledgling democracy.

“Senator Imasuen has deviated from the ideology of the Labour Party. Unlike other parties where your sins are forgiven once you cross over, we know LP wouldn’t allow any erring members to go free.

“We urge President Bola Tinubu to save the face of Nigeria in the comity of nations by speaking up against the humiliation suffered by the female gender in Nigerian politics, which his wife, as a serving Senator in the 9th Assembly, also faced.

“Nigerian youths are also demanding that the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, must present himself for investigation by an unbiased arm of government. A situation where one man will be a judge in his matter like Senator Akpabio did, must be denounced and condemned,” he appealed.

Punch