Akpabio vs Natasha: Senate Presents Defence Before IPU
The Senate yesterday defended its decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the global organisation of national parliaments, maintaining that the federal lawmaker was not given the marching orders for her alleged sexual harassment case, but for gross misconduct against the upper chambers.
The House Committee Chairperson on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, in a statement she read before the IPU, noted that it was the lawmakers’ reaction to the previous day’s allegations by Akpoti-Uduaghan at the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, that she was treated badly for the sexual harassment case.
In Akpoti-Uduaghan’s earlier presentation before IPU, she had alleged among others, that she was suspended for challenging her alleged sexual harassment by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
But in response, Ogbara reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the principles of justice and due process and to the protection of fundamental human rights, explaining that as a nation, the country recognises the gravity of sexual harassment and acknowledges the necessity of addressing such allegations with all sense of responsibility.
“Such allegations demand a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation. At the same time, we must ensure that fairness is upheld for all individuals involved, and that justice is neither predetermined nor one-sided.
“ Nigeria remains firmly committed to upholding women’s rights and combating gender-based violence through strong legal frameworks and institutions. Our Parliament and Judiciary continue to undergo reforms to strengthen these efforts.
“The ongoing legislative initiatives seek to address historical imbalances in women’s representation in our Parliament, including the Reserve Seats Bill and other crucial proposed constitutional amendments aimed at safeguarding the rights and privileges of women. These efforts underscore our commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable political space,” she stated.
Stressing that the allegations raised against the Nigerian Senate and the Senate President, Akpabio, had garnered significant attention both within Nigeria and internationally, Ogbara said that it was equally important to acknowledge that the Senate President, in his official capacity, had strongly denied these allegations.
“ it is important to recognise that both the allegations made and the responses provided are serious matters that require careful and unbiased scrutiny. This issue, which remains subjudice, involves multiple elements, including allegations of sexual harassment and potential violations of Senate rules. While it is necessary to engage in introspection and understand any potential connections, these matters must also be considered separately.
“It is imperative that we uphold the principles of fairness and ensure that no individual is prematurely judged without a transparent and impartial process. Therefore, I call for the following actions: A thorough and unbiased investigation, ensuring that all claims and defences are examined fairly and transparently.
