South-South leaders have urged leaders in other geo-political zones to make Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s cause their own.
They also advised Kogi Central constituents not to allow political clowns, destructive elements and saboteurs masquerading as progressives to confuse them.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, by the Chairman of South-South Front (SSF), Chief John Harry, the leaders praised Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for weathering a lot of storms, describing the six months suspension of the Kogi Central senator as a bad idea and a strategic mistake.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has faced several tribulations in recent times, especially after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. She was suspended from the Senate for six months and attempts have been made to recall her using her constituents.
The South-South leaders berated some senators for playing destructive games and knocking down the guardrails that define the boundaries of acceptable political discourse.
They blamed the Senate leadership for sending a terrible signal of moral failure, selfishness and shortsightedness throughout Nigeria.
“The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is a taunt to Kogi Central constituents and Nigerian women. If it is the intention to have unity in the Senate, then the leadership must ensure the lifting of the six months suspension,” the leaders said in the statement.
“Some senators and Kogi APC chieftains think fake signatures and hooligans mobilized by them can lead to recalling Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate,” they said, adding that the Kogi Central senator is on the right side of history.
The zonal leaders described calls for the arrest of Akpoti-Uduaghan as foolish. They urged Senate President Akpabio to put aside partisanship, pettiness and unnecessary pride, modernize his approach to issues, allow sanity to return to the life of the Senate and avoid escalating the crisis.
“This is a delicate moment. We urge Senator Godswill Akpabio to think of the consequences and discuss the way out of the crisis with the Alema of Warri, High Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan. He should not waste energy on petition and court processes,” they said.
The respected South-South leaders also hit back at Executive Watchdog, describing its criticism directed towards Akpoti-Uduaghan as sickening and unacceptable.
Highlighting Akpoti-Uduaghan’s achievements, political skills, strength and determination, the leaders vowed to stick with Akpoti-Uduaghan throughout the crisis.
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is an asset to Nigeria,” they said.
