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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders has called on the electorate of the Kogi Central Senatorial District, to immediately begin a process of recalling their Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over her current travails in the National Assembly.
The Coalition, which comprised of various youth groups across the country, made the call at a news conference to commemorate the International Women’s Day (IWD), in Abuja.
Chief Victor Thompson, who represented the Niger Delta Youths and Hon. Salisu Pawa of the Northern Nigeria Peoples Congress, respectively, spoke on behalf of other leaders on the occasion.
They lamented that Senator Natasha’s misconduct in the red chamber which earned her the six months suspension has brought disrepute to the nation’s legislature.
They also described her sexual harassment allegation against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, as the height of irresponsibility that should be ignored by everybody because it lacked substance.
The Coalition thus demanded her immediate recall, and conduct of a fresh election that will produce a fit and proper occupant for the exalted office.
“We also demand that Senator Natasha immediately retract her false allegations and apologize to the Senate President and the institution as a whole. The Senate is not a Night Club, hence we must protect the dignity of the hallowed chamber.
“We call on the Nigerian Senate to completely disregard the petition submitted by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and refrain from using tax payers resources to investigate such fraudulent accusations.
“We equally call on the Nigerian Senate to conduct periodic orientation exercise for Senators. Lawmakers should not be lawbreakers. Senator Natasha’s suspension must not be reduced at anytime, else such decision will be met with stiff opposition by the Nigerian public,” the youth leaders stated.
They alleged that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s blatant disregard for the rules of the Senate was a slap in the face to the institution and its members, equally claiming that her consistent attempts to undermine the authority of the Senate and its presiding officers, culminating in baseless accusations of sexual harassment, demonstrate a disturbing pattern of behavior.
They said: “This is not the first time she has leveled such false allegations against prominent individuals, and it is imperative that we call out this serial accuser for her reckless and damaging actions.
“We are compelled to address the Nigerian public due to the egregious actions of Senator Natasha whose despicable assault on the highest legislative body in Nigeria has left us outraged, disappointed, and urging for immediate action.
“The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. Senator Natasha has found an unwholesome hobby of accusing men of sexual harassment the moment there is a disagreement, and it is very sad that the nation rewarded her by allowing her occupy such a dignified office that is totally unfit for such characters.”
Meanwhile, on the call for the resignation of the Senate President, the youth leaders said, “we must be careful not to set a dangerous precedent for our dear country.
“Does it mean that if I want the Governor of my State to step aside, I could simply cause a similar allegation against him and expect him to resign? We must thread with caution,” They queried.
They warned the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and others against setting a bad precedent following their call on Senator Akpabio to step aside, while the Senate investigate Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him.
They commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her unbiased position, as well as Senator Ireti Kingibe, for standing by the truth. “We need more women of their kind in leadership positions in this country.”
