“Why will Started Natasha’s Recall – Group.
….As Kogi Central Women shops for her replacement
By Boluwaji Obahopo, Lokoja
Kogi Central Concerned Stakeholders on Thursday expressed their desire to continue with the recall process of senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is representing Kogi Central at the National Assembly.
The group said their decision to recall her was due to the bad image her fight with Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has casted on the constituency.
Spokesperson of the group, Jafar Aliu Kamaludeen said, “We the Kogi central Concerned stakeholders have been watching with keen interest the unfolding events concerning the senator representing Kogi central, senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Nigerian senate and president of the senate, distinguished senator Godswill Akpabio.
“A recent review of events that led to the suspension of the senator representing Kogi central senatorial district, Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for gross misconduct and unruly behavior has not only cast a shadow on the people of the district but also spurred us to question if truly the interest of the people of Kogi central is duly protected in this matter.
“The National Assembly is an esteemed arm of government that gives voice to the totality of Nigerians through meaningful representation of constituents whose primary interest is promoted, protected and preserved through an elected representative.
It is an institution with standing rules as an integral part of keeping the order so therefore, the decision of the senate to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months in line with the recommendation of the committee on ethics, privileges and public petition for flouting the rules is in order for the preservation of institutional integrity.
“We however regret to note that despite the window given to our senator to reverse this decision through the second prayer that for the senate to consider lifting or reducing the tenure of this suspension senator shall submit a written apology before reconsideration by the senate, she is yet to consider this opportunity.
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has clearly failed to prioritize or consider the collective interest of the people of Kogi central whose voices by this singular misstep will be silenced for the next six legislative months which is equivalent to twelve calendar months.
“Her appearance at the United Nations interparliamentary Union meeting to escalate the matter with a twisted narrative of sexual harassment as reason for her suspension as well as the filing of a contempt suit against the senate president and others over her suspension is indicative of a personal resolve by the senator to abandon the people of Kogi central to their own fate.
Senator Natasha has shown she’s oblivious of her strength as an equal to other members of the red chamber, she has failed to act as a distinguished member of the red chamber and has dismissed the mandate given to her by her people to protect our overall interest.
“A simple apology would have sufficed while she pursues fair hearing on the sexual harassment petition before the ethics and privileges committee or better still go to court to file a suit on sexual harassment with the conviction that she has concrete evidence to get justice on the matter.
“For the record, after her suspension, there has been no formal communication between senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the people of Kogi central, not even a town hall meeting as was the routine when she was seeking the support and votes of constituents.
“Since she has refused to apologize for disobeying the rules of the senate and bearing in mind the consequence that we would be without representation in the red chamber for six legislative months, we the people of Kogi central senatorial district hereby resolve to commence the process of recalling Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the senate of the Federal republic of Nigeria. This will allow the people of Kogi central to elect a responsible, law-abiding team player to represent us at the senate.”
In a separate Press Conference, a group of women under the auspices of Kogi Central Women Development has backed the disciplinary action the Senate toke against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, indicating their interest in shopping for her replacement.
Spokesperson of the group, Charity Ijese said, “A lot has happened since the senator representing Kogi central district, our senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the senate over gross misconduct and unruly behavior for six legislative months and we deem it appropriate to speak on our position on the issue.
“Firstly, we the Kogi Central Women Development Association are deeply alarmed that what began as a simple change of seat degenerated so fast into sexual harassment claims by senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
“It isn’t in our place to decide whether her claims are valid or not but it is within our purview to evaluate the actions she has taken so far and how it could potentially undermine the genuine efforts of other female politicians in the zone.
“Senator Natasha must understand that being a senator of the federal republic of Nigeria is a privilege and a serious business NOT show business, she’s one amongst equals, therefore its meaningless dragging an arm of government before the United Nations Inter-parliamentary Union to report an issue already before the senate and this sadly, makes a mockery of her position as a senator representing a zone she was elected to speak and advocate for.
“Her appearance before the inter parliamentary union has given her sexual harassment narrative as reason for her suspension, a wide coverage by the international media, putting not only the senate but the Nigerian state in a negative light.
“We ask, why would she rather make a show of such a grievous allegation than explore to the latter the internal mechanisms provided by the senate and the courts in Nigeria.
“This action visibly shows Senator Natasha does not recognize the power she wields as a senator as she would rather present herself as a victim of sexual harassment before an international forum than an authority suitably positioned to save the actual victims.
“Coming from a zone that believes in the empowerment and independence of women, it has become concerning that her conduct falls short of the standards upheld by other women in Ebira land who have held prominent positions to the admiration of younger girls in the zone, the likes of Ambassador Judith Atta, …
“Her refusal to apologize for disobeying the rules of a revered and respected institution shows she’s comfortable denying her constituents the privilege of representation for the next six legislative months, equal to twelve calendar months, an action that speaks very loudly that she has no regards for those who elected her.
“Senator Natasha appears self-absorbed, unapologetic to her constituents as well as failed to uphold the virtues of a strong, nurturing, resilient and astute female politician as exemplified by the other three female senators.
“It is on this premise that we the Kogi Central Women Development Association denounces her as our senator, demand an apology from her as we resolve to mobilize other groups in Kogi central senatorial district to commence the process of recalling Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“This move will enable the district elect a representative that is people centered, law abiding and drama free.”
