PDP Condemns Hasty Suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan Without Open Investigation

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi Central) by the Senate, stating that it “negated the principle of fair hearing.”

The party stated this in a press release issued on Friday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.

“The hasty suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, without an open investigation into the weighty allegation of sexual harassment against the Akpabio, negated the principle of fair hearing, especially in parliamentary convention.

“The action also portrays the Senate as an institution that endorses, condones and offers protection to reprobacy,” it said.

The party added that the “excessively-harsh” six-month suspension placed on Akpoti-Uduaghan translated to denying the people of Kogi Central Senatorial Zone their constitutional right of being represented in the legislative body.

“It is scandalous, and amounted to gross abuse of office and violation of the fundamentals of justice and fair hearing, for Akpabio to sit as a judge in a matter in which he was the accused,” it said.

PDP further said the situation validated public apprehension of a desperation by Akpabio to suppress open legislative probe into the allegation of sexual harassment leveled against him.

It pointed out that the allegation by Akpoti-Uduaghan would not be the first time Akpabio was accused of sexual harassment.

“If Sen. Akpabio has nothing to hide, what Nigerians expected of him was to clear his name.

“(He should) clear his name by stepping aside, in line with established parliamentary practice, allow and submit to an open and unbiased investigation into the allegation of sexual harassment by Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“It is indeed a national embarrassment that the person of the Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly is being mentioned in a case of sexual harassment, which has now tarred the image and integrity of the highest lawmaking body in Nigeria.

“Ordinarily, under this situation, the Senate President needs no prodding to step aside for an independent investigation to clear his name,” the PDP said.

Source: NAN