Stop smear campaign against Senate President – CSOs to Natasha, others

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Civil Rights Africa and League of Democracy Defenders, have asked Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and some other politicians to desist from waging a campaign against Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The CSOs said the allegations against Akpabio are aimed at undermining the office of the Senate President.

The groups spoke in a statement jointly signed by Amb. Ikemefuna Richard, for Civil Rights Africa, and Alhaji Rabiu Mohammed, National Secretary League of Democracy Defenders.

The CSOs said Natasha’s allegations are aimed at diverting attention from the real reasond over which she was suspended.

The statement insisted that Natasha’s suspension was a disciplinary action taken in line with the rules and ethics of the Nigerian Senate, following her actions that threatened the peace and integrity of the upper legislative chamber.

The CSOs added that Natasha should have sought redress through the Senate’s internal procedures, instead of embarking on what they described as a “campaign of blackmail”.

They also alleged that the sexual harrasment allegations against Akpabio are part of a wider plot against the Senate President, allegedly sponsored by political opponents.

Parts of the statement read, “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.

“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. 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.

“Even more disturbing is the growing body of evidence pointing to the involvement of high-ranking northern political figures, including one from Borno, who is currently disenchanted with the administration, in this coordinated campaign. These individuals, still aggrieved by the outcomes of internal power negotiations and threatened by the synergy between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senate President Akpabio, are now resorting to underhanded tactics to sow discord and frustrate governance.

“It is appalling that few people around the President would want to undermine the peaceful synergy between the President and the Senate President. If we are pushed further than this, we will publish their names for the world to see.”

The statement noted that reports linking the recent conviction of an electoral official to Akpabio are part of the plot against the Senate President.

“The latest campaign aimed at pushing a phony narrative that a particular individual was jailed for allegedly rigging elections for Senator Akpabio is also duly noted and openly refuted. How could the man who declared another as winner of the election have been contracted to rig for the same man who “lost” the election? In what world does such happen?

“The rush to present Senator Akpabio as evil overshadows their need for common sense. The lack of intelligence in cooking up their lies continues to expose their desperation and diabolic intentions,” the statement

The CSOs cautioned those plotting to undermine the Senate President to have a rethink.

In the same vein, the groups described the setting up of a panel to deliberate on Natasha’s allegations as counter productive and an attempt to water down her accusations of sexual harassment and attempted assassination.

The CSOs kicked against any attempt to give Natasha a soft landing, stressing that she made serious allegations against the Senate President and the institution of the Senate and must prove her allegations in the court of law.

“Allegations of sexual harassment and assassination attempt are not a panel affair but a security and legal matter, not just for posterity but to build public confidence in the system.

“We condemn any attempt to give Senator Natasha a soft landing. She made serious allegations against the person of the Senate President and the institution of the Senate. She must prove her allegations in the court of law,” the statement added.

Stop smear campaign against Senate President – CSOs to Natasha, others