The recent ugly incident that took place right inside the upper chamber (senate) of the national assembly in which, there was an uproar and chaotic situation which led to the disruption of plenary and subsequent the ordering of the sergeant-a-arm to walk out a senator out the hallowed chamber which was a pure demonstration of high handedness of the senate president was due to arbitrary and corrupt use of power by the senate president, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who has made it a policy, or rather, a way of life to verbally talk carelessly, assault and derogatorily attack and embarrass some of his colleagues in the senate.Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the winner of This Day Senator of the year award, has always been his unmistaken target of attack which we see as a rising vibrant youngster from kogi central senatorial doing the imaginable thing in the senatorial district.This attacks and what our group will rather call show of hatred for a colleague in the national assembly is uncalled for,
wicked, discriminating and gender abuseSince the electoral victory of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the appeal court in Abuja over her arch rival, Engr, Sadiku Ohere in December 2023, it has been one attack after the another from the senate president possibly because of the political differences between Natasha on one hand and the senator from Akwa Ibom state, twice Akpabio has struck out at senator Natasha in the last couple of seven months. To us in the Nigerian women in politics , why this repeated attacks and personal hatred for a very vibrant and brilliant female senator from kogi state? Two times, Akpbio had thrown jab at the easy going senator which to us in the Nigerian women in politics is not acceptable and it is condemnable. It is our strong view that it was a plan well designed and articulated to intimidate, humiliate, disgrace and bully Natasha to submission, which we all know Natasha will no take lowly, she will give it back raw because she knows her own rights as an erudite lawyer and global person.It should be recalled that the senate president sometimes last year, called or described Natasha with some unprintable words, words that were too derogatory and humiliating to a fellow senator. Then, to some Nigerians, this sad and unspeakable action of Senator Akpabio which was then seen as unbecoming of him, condemned him, seen as shameful of his status as the number 3 man in the APC led federal government of Nigeria.Senator Natasha was pacified by well meaning Nigerians including our group and everything was buried for peace to reign in the senate.Again, for the second time, Senator Akpabio naively and softly targeted the seat of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by deliberately removing her from her known seat to a new seat without prior knowledge, she protested at the floor of the senate when she realized she was been treated badly and with no simple respect she deserved. Yes, our association agrees that the rules of the senate permits the senate president to change the seat of a senate at will, if the situation demands for it. But we have the strong belief that minimum decorum, respect and understanding should be applied in all circumstances.Those saddled with leadership role should learn that everyone irrespective of their colour, tribe creed, gender age and status deserves or is entitled to some kind of dignity and respect.Our group is of the opinion that before such provocative measure or decision was taken by the senate president or his representative, efforts should have been put in place before the day’s plenary to inform senator Natasha about the changing of her seating position according to the senate rules. But some people in the senate made up their minds to embarrass her to the foundation. To us in this group, it was an attempt to cut her wings to size and to silence her voice in the red chamber, which they have failed to achieve that plan. Many of us that know senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, know quite well that she would never be cowed to accept any kind of suppression, subjugation, oppression, humiliation and degradation from any quarters which most women politicians has been receiving quietly all this while in Nigeria.Our calculation in this group is that there was a calculated attempt by some individuals to humiliate and ridicule our workaholic and pro-poor politician (Natasha) in other to dampen her spirit in providing the much needed dividend of democracy to our people here in Kogi Central Senatorial District. It was also an attempt bt her tormentors in the senate to drive fear and hatred for the women folk who wants to excel in politics in a male dominated political arena.Natasha as an upright senator has always stood behind all our people from the central region of kogi state in terms of provision of relief materials, empowerment, infrastructure, appointments, job creation and financial support to the widows, the elderly persons, the sick, students, artisans and the indigenes.Senator Natasha Apkoti-Uduaghan has demonstrated to us in Kogi central as she is the best ever senator to have attended to our need. She has elevated so many of our people above poverty level.We hope that all these attacks are not aimed at stopping by 2027 for her re-election. Let it be known that, by the Grace of God , she is unstoppable . she has performed beyond her adversaries’ imaginations. We also want to believe that all these attacks are not as a result of envy. If it is envy-driven, the planner will fail woefully. Time will tell if the attacks are engineered by envy or the 2027 election fever among her arch rivals.On a serious note, this group which has members across kogi central district is solidly behind Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, we believe in her ability, capability, words and actions, we would stand by her any day. She has shown us hope, trust and happiness. We would not allow anyone or group to slow down her good work at the national assembly. We would resist any retrogressive individual or groups trying to dent the good image of our senator.We want to borrow a few words from Austin Anibe Otene “Today’s debate centers around a critical issue: the troubling rise of cancel culture in our political landscape, where we perceive others as less than human and deny them a voice on matters and instances that negate the principle of inclusion. So, the question of who’s right and who’s wrong in this situation will inevitably elicits emotional responses, but let’s be clear: despite Senator Natasha’s apparent misstep regarding Section 6.1 and Section 6.2 of the Standing Orders of the Senate, the fundamental issue remains unaddressed. Senator Natasha deserved to be informed about any seating rearrangement. She is not just a name; she is the duly elected representative from Kogi State and should be treated with the respect her position warrants.To treat her with disdain, as demonstrated by the Senate President’s order to have her removed from the Senate floor, is an egregious abuse of power and a blatant violation of decorum. It reveals a troubling attitude towards those who disagree or easily put, those in opposition. Let’s not forget that in 2018, Senator Akpabio himself challenged then-Senate President Bukola Saraki under similar circumstances, asserting his right to fair treatment. This hypocrisy cannot be ignored. The Senate is not a playground where elected officials can be bullied due to personal animosities. Senator Natasha has faced unwarranted attacks from the Senate President, and this behavior is utterly unacceptable and unbecoming of someone in his position.That said, I believe that once the dust settles, Senator Natasha should reflect on the situation and consider offering an apology. It’s high time we rise above petty squabbles. Our nation faces far more pressing issues that warrant our attention. The seating arrangements in the Senate should never overshadow legislative responsibilities. We can and must do better.”Whatever reactions that might have emanated from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the floor of the senate, should be seen as a reflection of what an ideal and civilized human society ought to be. Like we all know, Natasha has a strong dislike for suppression, subjugation and other vices. Her family upright upbringing did not teach her to bully or do some frivolous things common or known with most of our politicians and leaders but rather encourages good work ethics, respect fairness, equality and respect for constituted authorities. Remember that, despite various provocations from the immediate past leadership of Kogi State, Senator Uduaghan remained her true self. This alone has endeared her to the entire good people of Kogi State”.Finally we want to appeal to the senate president and the entire member of the senate to revisit the rules guiding the seating arrangement and see how decorum, dignity and respect for the rights of members can be restored or enhanced for peace to reign in the chamber. We don’t see anything wrong for senator Uduaghan crying loud over what seemed to be a crude attempt to violate her fundamental rights to know what she needs to know around her, please kindly apply some civility to some of the senate rule in order to accommodate progressive rules of the 21st century
Signed by :
Hon, Jane Onoba
Member, Nigerian Women in Politics and Coordinator, Ogori/Magongo Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Women’s Group.