A non-governmental organization, Participation Initiative for Behavioral Change in Development (PIBCID), has condemned the alleged bullying of the lawmaker representing Kogi Central senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by Senate President Godswill Akpabio in strong terms.
In a statement signed by the Executive Director, Akande Racheal Remilekun, on Friday, PIBCID described the Senate President’s action against the female lawmaker as “wicked, callous, and anti-democratic”.
Akande advised Senator Akpabio to tender a public apology to the lawmaker, noting that she has her fundamental human right to speak for herself and the people she represents.
She averred that in a modern society and a true democratic setting, it was pathetic and scrupulous to see a leader as Akpabio at the national assembly to keep bullying his colleagues without respecting their views while making their contributions on national issues.
The statement reads in part;
“What happened today at the national assembly is a show of shame and is highly condemnable. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan deserves all the respect from the Senate President because she was elected by her people and not selected. Senator Akpabio should stop treating women like trash or garbage he can dispose at his own convenience.
“A similar incident happened like this when Bukola Saraki was Senate President and he managed it effectively with any rancour on the floor of the house. Why is Senator Akpabio’s own different? We are not in a Banana Republic that somebody will be acting like autocratic leader in the name of Senate President.
“It is on this ground we are calling on him to tender an unreserved public apology to distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for this reckless, disgusting and unacceptable action of his during plenary.
“His persistent humiliation and assault of Women in modern society is a big threat to our fundamental human rights and our nascent democracy. This must stop now”.
It could be recalled that tension erupted in the Senate on Thursday after Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan clashed with the leadership over a dispute on seating arrangement.
The issue began when Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat was reassigned following a reshuffle prompted by opposition members moving to the majority wing.
However, she refused to relocate.
Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, cited Senate rules to justify the change, explaining that seat adjustments were within the Senate President’s authority.
He also warned that non-compliance could lead to penalties, including exclusion from Senate debates.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio upheld Monguno’s order and denied Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan the floor when she attempted to speak from her old seat.
In protest, the Kogi lawmaker raised her voice, accusing the leadership of silencing her.
“I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege,” she declared.
