SEXUAL HARASSMENT: A'Ibom Women,Youths Rally Support For AKPABIO
Some women and youths under the aegis of Ibom 'Youth future development initiative' in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, have embarked on a peaceful demonstration warning the Senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to stop ‘baseless’ allegations against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The protesters who walked round major streets in the city also visited the premises of some radio stations to register their grievances.
They carried placards with inscriptions; “Natasha, Akwa Ibom people demand respect for our leader’, ‘Natasha you have failed’, ‘Stop insulting our brother’, ‘constructive criticism, not confrontation is what we need”, among others.
Addressing journalist on behalf of the group, the Coordinator of Ibom youth future development initiative, Mrs Anthonia Edem, described the accusations that Akpabio sexually harassed Sen. Natasha were unfounded and targeted at unjustly removing him from the seat.
“Senator Natasha lied against our son. That is why we decided to set aside our various businesses and engagements to lead this protest. We are urging the Kogi lawmaker to respect herself and respect her husband. Distinguished Senator Akpabio, the Senate President is a responsible man. He is happily married. We will not tolerate Senator Natasha’s lies against our son,” the spokesperson explained.
Demonstrators who trouped out in large numbers drew representatives across the thirth - one local government areas of the state.
Recall that the Nigerian Senate had suspended Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan after accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment.
The Senate ethics committee had also rejected Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition on the alleged harassment, citing procedural rule violations. While her subsequent suspension was justified over an earlier argument that erupted in the Senate about a change in her seating arrangement.
Meanwhile, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, has clarified that the Senate Leadership didn't suspend Natasha Akpoti- Uduaghan for accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, instead the Red Chamber suspended her specifically, for her flagrant disobedience to Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended) and her unparliamentary behaviour during its plenaries and proceedings.
