The Campaign for Democracy has stated that the actions of the suspended representative for Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, since the “unnecessary” crisis began a few weeks ago have placed Nigeria’s reputation on trial in the eyes of the international community.
The prominent Civil Society Organisation expressed its concern that instead of tackling the fundamental issues related to her suspension within Nigeria’s democratic frameworks, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan opted to “engage in a slanderous campaign against the Senate as an institution.”
In a statement released on Thursday, signed by its President, the CD asserted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions both domestically and internationally since the controversy erupted have negatively impacted Nigeria’s image, for which she needs to offer an apology.
The organisation remarked that this behavior is nothing less than gross misconduct against Nigeria.
However, the statement urged respected Nigerian leaders to recognize when it is inappropriate to engage in opposition politics concerning sensitive national issues, prioritizing the nation’s best interests.
“Even more concerning is the reality that she has distorted the facts surrounding her suspension and has erroneously maintained her sexual harassment claims against the Senate President as the basis for the original actions taken against her.
“Presenting this misrepresentation on the global stage and illegitimately representing Nigeria at the Inter-Parliamentary Union to express such views can only be seen as gross misconduct against the country, for which she should apologize. This should not be confused with political maneuvering,” the statement emphasized.
The CD expressed confusion over why the troubled Senator had abandoned her trust in the Nigerian judiciary.
“Having already brought her grievances before the courts, one would have anticipated that she would allow due process to unfold,” the CSO pointed out.
“Turning to media trials and seeking sympathy from international audiences while undermining the validity of the very institutions that can resolve her issues has diminished any potential sympathy she might have received from objective Civil Society Organizations and Nigerians in general,” it added.
“Her current confrontational stance achieves no constructive purpose other than to bring shame to Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“As a public official, she bears the obligation to uphold the dignity of her office and foster national unity, rather than embroiling the country in unnecessary international disputes,” the leading advocate for advancing democracy stated.
The activists praised the constituents of Kogi Central for exercising their constitutional rights to initiate a recall process, noting that “this marked step strengthens Nigeria’s democracy.”
“When lawmakers comprehend that their positions are not assured but subject to the people’s will, they will prioritize service over personal gain. Accountability cannot be compromised,” they remarked.
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The Campaign for Democracy (CD) voices its significant concern regarding the ongoing international media appearances by the suspended Senator from Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
We are troubled that what should have remained an internal conflict between the Senator and the Nigerian Senate is now being sensationalized across numerous international platforms, putting Nigeria’s reputation at risk before the global audience.
Since the unnecessary crisis began at the National Assembly, CD had chosen not to take a position on the issues making headlines. However, it has become crucial to urge respected Nigerian leaders to recognize when it’s not in the country’s best interest to engage in opposition politics surrounding sensitive national matters.
We worry that, instead of addressing the fundamental issues related to her suspension within the context of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan opted to wage a campaign of defamation against the Senate as an organization.
Even more concerning is her distortion of the facts leading to her suspension and her persistent focus on her sexual harassment claims against the Senate President as the cause of the initial actions taken against her.
Taking such misrepresentations to the international arena and unlawfully representing Nigeria at the Inter-Parliamentary Union to voice these opinions can be classified as gross misconduct against the nation, for which she should issue an apology. This should not be conflated with political maneuvering.
Her actions both domestically and internationally tarnish our nation’s image and depict us unfavorably before the global community. Every patriotic Nigerian must denounce this.
CD is also puzzled by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s abandonment of her faith in the Nigerian judiciary. Having already brought her grievances to court, one would assume she would allow the legal process to unfold.
Resorting to media trials and seeking sympathy from foreign audiences while undermining the validity of the very institutions that could address her grievances diminishes the sympathy she might have otherwise garnered from objective Civil Society Organizations and Nigerians in general.
This issue is exacerbated by the fact that this is not the first instance in which Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has made such unsubstantiated accusations. Many have pointed to her allegations against a former presidential spokesman, Mr. Reno Omokri, which were later revealed to be false.
While CD affirms the right of every individual to pursue justice, we earnestly encourage Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to follow due legal processes in seeking justice and perhaps seek reconciliation with the Senate.
Her current confrontational stance serves no constructive purpose other than to bring shame to Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
As a public figure, she is obligated to uphold the integrity of her office and foster national unity, rather than involving the country in needless international disputes.
The decision made by the constituents of Kogi Central to initiate the recall of the Senator is a constitutional and democratic action, and we firmly believe that no constituency should lack representation due to the actions of one individual.
It is commendable that the Independent National Electoral Commission is maintaining a neutral position on this situation by ensuring thoroughness in the recall process, which was initiated with a notification letter to the beleaguered Senator on Wednesday.
The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan primarily arises from issues concerning her personal conduct rather than matters that would directly benefit her constituents.
