The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate following her allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the opposition party described the suspension as a desperate attempt by the Akpabio-led Senate leadership to suppress the allegations rather than allow a transparent investigation.
“The hasty suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan without an open investigation into the serious allegations against the Senate President undermines the principles of fair hearing and due process.
It also raises concerns that the Senate may be shielding misconduct instead of upholding accountability,” the PDP said.
The party further criticized the six-month suspension, arguing that it unjustly deprives the people of Kogi Central Senatorial Zone of their constitutional right to representation.
The PDP accused Akpabio of abusing his position by presiding over a matter in which he is personally implicated. The party pointed to past allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio, including claims made by former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) acting Managing Director, Dr. Joi Nunieh.
“If Senator Akpabio has nothing to hide, he should step aside and submit to an open, independent investigation, as expected in any credible parliamentary system,” the statement read.
The PDP also highlighted ongoing corruption allegations against Akpabio, including investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into the alleged misappropriation of N108.1 billion during his tenure as Akwa Ibom State governor, as well as an alleged N86 billion contract fraud in the NDDC while he was Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
With protests already erupting at the National Assembly over the issue, the PDP urged the Senate to restore its credibility by immediately reinstating Akpoti-Uduaghan and ensuring a transparent probe into the allegations.
The suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, as noticed by Worldclass247News, has sparked widespread outrage, with civil society groups and women’s rights advocates calling for justice. Many have criticized what they perceive as an institutional effort to silence a female senator who dared to speak out against alleged misconduct by a high-ranking official.