The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) weighed in, at the weekend, into the public spat in the Senate between the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, and declared that the Senate was now less than inspiring.
The ACF demanded that an independent, open, transparent and thorough investigation, devoid of fear, favour or interference of any kind, from any quarters be conducted.
The ACF particularly challenged the leadership and membership of the National Assembly to always display exemplary behaviour, edifying comportment, display sensitivity, circumspection personal discipline and be above board in matters of ethics, decorum, moral rectitude and integrity, saying that these are qualities that were sorely needed but which, very sadly, appear to be in deficit in the way the 10th Senate is being run.
It noted that allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation have since been brought into the fray by Senator Natasha, which continue to make rounds in the media and indeed has taken centre stage in many a discourse relating to the controversy.
The ACF in a statement by Professor T. A. Muhammadu-Baba, National Publicity Secretary of the Forum, stressed that inevitably, many persons and groups have been out there in the public space with strong opinions on the matter, adding that even Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s husband has been forced to publicly comment on the matter.
The Forum further said that all such public interventions have the potential to bring into disrepute a body empowered to make laws for Nigeria.
Muhammadu-Baba said that as things now stand, in the eyes of the public, the allegations in question portend definite negative implications for the national and international public image of the Red Chamber of Nigeria’s National Assembly. The statement further said; “While the imbroglio lasts, the interests of the people of Kogi Central are not being adequately represented in the 10th Senate.
“While perhaps far-fetched, ACF rues the development and hopes that it is not part of the thinly-veiled anti-Arewa agenda now pervading the Nigerian political process.
“It does seem that to date, only Senators from the North have been subjected to heavy sanctions, such as suspensions, in the 10th Senate. In the event, ACF wonders if the unfolding events constitute a pattern or are cruel coincidences at work!” it said.
ACF specifically said that an open, transparent, independent, and thorough investigation is absolutely necessary and needed to allow the Senate to return, as it should, to the serious and solemn duty of law making for Nigeria, at a period when citizens are being overwhelmed by dire existential living conditions on account of the impact public policies on lives and livelihoods.
Accordingly, it called on the Northern Caucus in the 10th Senate to rally round Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan so that she gets a fair hearing and, ultimately, accorded treatment with all the deserved due respects that she is entitled to in the affairs of the Red Chamber.
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