Amid the raging controversy, the Nigerian Ambassadors for Gender Tranquility, NAGET, have explained why suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan needs to tender an apology to the Nigerian Senate and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The President of NAGET, Elijah Tunle, said at a press conference on Friday that Senator Natasha should apologise for the good of her constituents and the public.
Media Talk Africa reports that Natasha was slammed with a six-month suspension after she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.
The accusation took on another dimension when Senator Natasha dragged Akpabio to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU.
Natasha also filed a fresh contempt suit against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and others over her six-month suspension without pay from the Senate.
However, the Nigerian Senate defended its decision to suspend Senator Natasha, noting that the embattled senator lied to the IPU.
Backing Akpabio, Tunle explained that Natasha’s suspension was necessary to uphold the sanctity of the country’s red chamber.
“Natasha’s suspension is in her best interest, as she will use the six-month suspension period to study and become more acquainted with the Senate Rules Book. This will help her conform to becoming a better legislator and team player going forward,” he said.
Tunle emphasised that the embattled senator should apologise to the Senate instead of grandstanding.
“NAGET hereby renews our call on Natasha to come clean by publicly withdrawing her spurious allegations against the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, and to tender an unreserved apology to the Senate and the Senate President, all in her best interest and in the interest of the constituents she represents.
“Flying around the world to tell lies against the Nigerian Senate and the Senate President is an act of sabotage against the Nigerian state. We want these futile trips to end now, or we will be forced to call for an extension of her suspension,” Tunle said.
Similarly, the Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace, Security, Good Governance, Equity, and Justice on Thursday dismissed Natasha’s allegations against Akpabio.
In a statement on Thursday, the coalition’s spokesperson, James Okoronkwo, questioned the sincerity of Natasha’s claim after she was removed as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content.
Meanwhile, several other coalitions and Nigerians have also come out in support of Natasha, calling on Akpabio to step aside as Senate President.
Former Senator, Nicholas Tofowomo, has asked Akpabio to step aside for an impartial investigation into Natasha’s sexual harassment allegation against him.
