LP youth wing demands probe into Senate dispute with Natasha

The Labour Party (LP) youth wing is calling for a thorough investigation into the ongoing dispute between the Senate and the senator representing Kogi-Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The female legislator had been suspended for six months on Thursday last week for misconduct and breaching Senate rules, specifically Order 6 (1)(2), which relates to sitting arrangements within the Senate chambers.

The suspension followed the adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Public Petitions and Code of Conduct, which indicted her.

The panel was chaired by the LP lawmaker representing Edo-South Senatorial District, Sen. Neda Imasuen.

However, before the suspension was given effect, Akpoti-Uduaghan also submitted a petition on a separate matter, alleging that the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, had sexually harassed her.

The Senate, which admitted the petition, also referred it to the Imasuen committee for investigation in line with Senate rules.

But, LP youths, in a fresh reaction to the development, are seeking a thorough, independent investigation into the allegation to be carried out by another new committee.

Addressing a news conference in Abuja, the National Youth Leader, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, in the company of other youth members, asked voters in Edo-South to initiate the recall of Imasuen, whom they claimed did not meet their expectations as a senator by accepting to preside over the investigation that led to the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The youths, who urged the Senate to rescind the suspension, also used the opportunity to appeal to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the dispute by ensuring that his government works to preserve the democratic principles of fairness and rule of law in Nigeria.

They further condemned the suspension, observing that it was “in clear violation of an order of the court.”

They stated, “It’s clear to the Nigerian youths that an investigative panel, which was set for 11th March 2025, was mysteriously rescheduled to hold on 5th March 2025. Our question remains, ‘What is the haste for?’

“It is on record that this 10th Senate is not known to have shown much urgency or speed in most of their public hearings that have direct bearing with public interest such as the call for the amendment of the Electoral Act that will lead to electoral reform; or security sector or economic reforms, amongst others, but they were in a haste to suspend an opposition voice using a readily available, unseasoned opposition senator who has never added any value to the Labour Party since he was elected.

“Given such a hasty decision to suspend Natasha, Senator Neda Imasuen and his subsequent posturing afterwards has no doubt left everyone in shock about his possible dislike for womenfolk, a character which may be construed as being a misogynist.

“To the best of our knowledge, the Labour Party is a party for social democrats with tremendous respect for the female gender and the youth alike. It also believes so much in the principles of fair hearing, rule of law and gender parity.”

Last week, the Senate, through its Majority Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, dispelled what it called “misinformation” on the issues surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.

Bamidele stated, “The Authority of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria firmly rebuts the deliberate misinformation and false narratives being circulated by certain media organisations regarding the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan.

“Let it be unequivocally stated that Senator Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent acts of misconduct, blatant disregard for the provisions of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (As Amended) and gross indiscipline, nothing more, nothing less.

“It has come to the attention of the Senate that some media reports are attempting to falsely suggest that Senator Uduaghan’s suspension was due to allegations of sexual harassment.

“This is completely untrue, misleading, and a calculated attempt to distort the facts. If Senator Uduaghan had strictly followed our guiding principles, the Senate would have treated her petition based on merit in line with its practice. But she never obeyed the established practices of the institution where she was serving.”

The Senate leader added, “The report found her guilty of violating Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate Rules and recommended her immediate suspension.

“The disciplinary action was a response to her repeated violations of legislative decorum, including: 1. Refusing to sit in her assigned seat during plenary on 25th February 2025, despite multiple pleas from the Minority Leader and other ranking Senators, an act of open defiance and disorderly conduct.”

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