Civil Society Organizations ( CSOs), Civil Rights Africa and League of Democracy Defenders have cautioned Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against continued campaign of calumny and malicious falsehood on the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio over her suspension.
The group said Natasha’s recent allegations of sexual harassment against the Senate President are not only baseless but “malicious fabrications aimed at inciting public anger and undermining the office of the Senate President.
The CSOs stated this in a statement on Wednesday jointly signed by Amb. Ikemefuna Richard of Civil Rights Africa and Alhaji Rabiu Mohammed National Secretary League of Democracy Defenders.
The statement noted that the campaigns are deliberate falsehoods concocted to embarrass the institution of the National Assembly and divert attention from her misconduct.
The group insisted that Natasha’s suspension from the Senate proceedings was a disciplinary action taken in line with the rules and ethics of the Nigerian Senate, following her sustained misconduct, unruly behavior, and disruptive tendencies that threatened the peace and integrity of the Red Chamber.
The statement faulted Natasha for not seeking redress through internal procedures but choosing to embark on a shameless campaign of falsehood and blackmail.
The statement read ” In light of recent events and calculated attempts to malign the person and office of the President of the Senate, His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio, it has become imperative to set the record straight and expose the dangerous web of propaganda being spun by elements both within and outside the country, driven by desperation, envy, and political vendetta.
” The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from Senate proceedings was a disciplinary action taken in line with the rules and ethics of the Nigerian Senate, following her sustained misconduct, unruly behavior, and disruptive tendencies that threatened the peace and integrity of the Red Chamber. Rather than seek redress through internal procedures or display contrition, she has embarked on a shameless campaign of falsehood and blackmail.
” Senator Natasha’s recent allegations of sexual harassment against the Senate President are not only baseless, they are malicious fabrications aimed at inciting public anger and undermining the office of the Senate President. These are deliberate falsehoods concocted to embarrass the institution of the National Assembly and divert attention from her misconduct.
” We are aware that this smear campaign is not a lone effort. Credible intelligence has linked a former presidential candidate and key opposition figure as a major sponsor of Senator Natasha’s media crusade, providing funding for her international tours and media appearances. This is not only irresponsible but also indicative of a broader conspiracy to destabilize the current leadership of the Senate and disrupt the working relationship between the Legislature and the Executive.”