The Arewa Youth Assembly For Good Leadership (AYAGL) has threatened to block the Lokoja/Kaduna highway as well as occupy the National Assembly if the Senate fails to suspend the six-month suspension placed on Senator Natasha Akpoti.
The group also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to order.
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Monday, the Speaker of the Assembly, Ambassador Abdul Danbature, said, “Going by what has happened under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio, we believe Akpabio is fighting the North directly or indirectly.
“Our reasons for this belief are not far-fetched. The perfunctory suspension of distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti recently has reinforced our beliefs that Akpabio is fighting the North.
“What has Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan done to warrant her suspension from legislative duties for six months? What has she done to warrant her change of seat? What has she done to warrant her removal as Senate Committee Chairman on Local Content? And above all, what have Northern women done to deserve continued harassment?
“What has Northern Nigeria done against Senator Akpabio to stop a motion moved by Senator Natasha on the NLNG gas pipeline project to Northern Nigeria? A lot of questions are begging for answers, and we hope Senator Akpabio will provide answers.
“Northern Nigeria deserves more than what it’s getting from Akpabio as Senate President. Without the overwhelming support of our Senators from the North, Akpabio wouldn’t be sitting as Senate President today.
“He must stop the victimisation of Senators from the North. He must stop his selective justice. He should realise that power, position, and influence are ephemeral.”
To this end, he said, “Akpabio must heed our call to recall Senator Natasha within 48 hours, or else we will occupy the National Assembly Complex, block the Lokoja-Kaduna express road, and all the 19 Northern States and FCT.
“We are very much ready and prepared to engage in civil protest until our demands are met.
“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to wade into this matter because some sections of the North believe Akpabio could not have done this without his imprimatur.
“As youth, we are using this medium to tell Akpabio that nothing lasts forever, no position is permanent, and no power is eternal. Therefore, we would like to advise him to be circumspect and treat his colleagues equally and fairly.”
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