Kinsmen of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, under the umbrella of Afe Annang, have expressed their dissatisfaction with the Senate’s six-month suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The group, a prominent socio-cultural body of the Annang people, believes that the suspension is insufficient punishment for a senator who allegedly disrespected the institution of the Senate.
The Senate had imposed the suspension on Akpoti-Uduaghan over her sexual harassment claims against Akpabio, which the Senate deemed a breach of its standing orders.
During a media interaction in Abak Local Government Area, His Majesty Obong Blaise Awakama, leader of Afe Annang, stated, “We are not satisfied with just a suspension; I believe she should be recalled by her constituents and properly advised.”
Awakama further emphasized, “I don’t think this is the kind of conduct any Nigerian, let alone a woman, should bring to the Senate.”
He warned that no female senator should be used to tarnish the reputation of the Senate President and reiterated the Annang community’s unwavering support for Akpabio.
The group cautioned against any political maneuver to remove Akpabio from office, adding, “If there is an organised political plot to remove him from office, we shall not stand by and allow his adversaries to succeed.”
They also condemned the use of false sexual harassment claims for political persecution, with Awakama stating, “A false claim of sexual harassment, which is already a matter of litigation, should not and cannot be used as a tool for political persecution.”