A group of women from Edo State, on Friday, took to the streets in protest over what they termed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attacks on the Senate President, Godwin Akpabio.
The protesting women called on the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha, to humble herself and apologize to the Senate President and Nigerians for dragging the name of the nation in the mud.
The women gave the charge during a peaceful protest at the Edo State Government House.
Led by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial Woman Leader for Edo South, Mrs. Itohan Osahon, the women were received by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, on behalf of Governor Monday Okpebholo, who was said to be out of the state on an official assignment.
Speaking, Osahon said: “We are concerned women of Edo State and we are not comfortable with what is going on at the red chamber. Natasha is not the only woman in the Senate and the Senate is not about sexual harassment.
“She was suspended because she violated the rules of the Senate and she is manipulating the whole issue against the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio. Senator Natasha has been suspended for six months for disobeying the Senate Rules, not for sexual harassment.
“We don’t want her to abuse the opportunity given to her to serve her people. Our First Lady was once a senator and was there for years and such issue was not experienced.
“We have had many women in the Senate and House of Representatives and we have not had issues like this.
“Natasha has been traveling all around the world, disgracing the country, making us the laughing stock and making a whole lot of noise about the issue.
“She should just apologise to the Senate. Edo State women are women who respect tradition and respect our men. She should not drag us to the mud.
“Our demand is that Natasha should be called to order and sentiments should not come to play and she should respect the rules of the Senate.” Osahon counselled.
The President, Senior Citizens of Edo State, Mrs. Rosemary Elawure, while also speaking, said the women embarked on the peaceful protest in support of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
She said Senator Natasha lied against Senator Akpabio and that she was not the only senator whose seat was changed in the red chambers.
“Senior citizens don’t support things that will not bring progress and development to the country. Edo women are in support of the Senate President who has a very beautiful and intelligent wife who is humble and respectful. We urge Senator Natasha to be respectful and obey the rules of the Senate,” she counselled.
The women asked her to apologise to the Senate, House of Representatives as well as state houses of Assembly in the country.
Receiving the women, Ikhilor commended them for a peaceful protest and expressing themselves freely, noting that women were very big stakeholders in Edo State.
While noting that the National Assembly was for all Nigerians, the Edo State SSG thanked the women for adding their voices to the issues concerning Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the President of the Senate.
“You are here to make a very strong point regarding what is going on as it is now disturbing. It is wrong for facts to be distorted and manipulated. Nigerians are beginning to become conscious.
“Nigerians are aware of what happened in the Senate. The issue is all about the rules and regulations and anyone who disobeys them should face the consequences. Women are fighting for bigger issues facing them and Sen. Natasha can’t serve as the stumbling block stopping women from progressing.
“Senator Akpabio has made a distinguished career in public service and we have confidence in him and his ability to manage the red chamber.
“The Senate is not a place for content creation and distractions but for serious minded people. Information should not be manipulated or distorted as Nigerians know what is happening in the Senate and can’t be deceived again.
“The governor is a senator and knows what happened in the chamber. He has confidence in the Senate President Godswill Akpabio. He will carry this message to different levels as we all have to protect our institutions.” The SSG assured.
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