Some northern youth organizations have called for thorough investigation into the alleged sexual harassment to Sen. Natasha Akooti-Uduaghan against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The Organizations also threatened to embark on protests if the suspension of Akooti-Uduaghan is not immediately reversed.
They groups are: the North Central Youth Council (NCYC), Northern Youth Assembly of Nigeria (NYAN), Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), and Arewa Youth Union (AYU).
They have strongly condemned the recent suspension of Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan, insisting the suspension falls flat on moral rectitude, equity, good conscience and a denial of the people of Kogi West, their constitutional rights to be represented at the Senate.
During a joint news conference in Abuja, the groups described the suspension as “unconstitutional, biased and lacking due process”.
They stated: “We Condemn in totality the so called suspension and the attempted Kangaroo Recall of Distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan.
“Democracy is not a personal property and shouldn’t be personalized, hence Sen. Godswill Akpabio should know that he can’t continue be on that Seat forever and must respect the Rules governing the Senate Arms of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
“The Suspension is unconstitutional, lack due process, fully bais, inadequate appeal process and fair hearing, a competent court has severely delivered similar judgement, that a Nigerian Senator can not be suspended exceeding fourteenth (14) Legislative days, hence we demand the her recall with immediate effect”.
The leader of the groups who is also the National President of North Central Youth Council (NCYC), Mallam Isah Abubakar, accused Sen. Akpabio of abuse of office and overstepping his authority.
They emphasized that democracy should not be personalized and argued that the suspension of Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan violated Nigeria’s constitutional principles.
Citing previous court decisions, they asserted that no senator could be suspended for more than 14 legislative days, making the Senate’s action unlawful.
The youth organizations also pointed out that the senator was denied a fair hearing, further invalidating the process.
The Coalition called for the immediate reinstatement of Senator Akooti-Uduaghan and an apology from the Senate President.
The coalition warned that if the suspension is not reversed, they would mobilize mass protests to demand justice.
They emphasized that the move against Akpoti-Uduaghan is not just a personal attack but an affront to democracy and the people she represents.
