Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has denied stories that she apologised to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over allegations of sexual harassment.
Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan stated she stood firmly by her claims and wouldn’t be intimidated into silence.
She stated this in a press release on Monday.
The senator was reacting to speculations that she had tendered an apology to the senate president and expressed remorse over her accusations.
Her suspension
On 6 March, the Senate suspended Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months primarily based on the suggestions of its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
The committee cited her refusal to stick to the Senate’s sitting association and alleged misconduct throughout a plenary session on 20 February as the first causes for her suspension.
Other than suspending Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, the higher chamber withdrew her safety aides, locked her Senate workplace, suspended her wage and allowances, and banned her from getting into the Nationwide Meeting premises.
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The Senate, nonetheless, left room for an early recall if she tenders a written apology, a situation that she has rejected.
On 11 March, Akpoti-Uduaghan reported her suspension and alleged sexual harassment by the senate president to the Inter-Parliamentary Union throughout its assembly in america.
I’ll by no means apologise
Within the assertion, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan stated she would by no means apologise and stand firmly within the combat for justice.
“I, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stand agency in my resolve to by no means apologise for talking my reality. The desperation to silence me is palpable, however I can’t be intimidated.
The video games being performed in full view of the Nigerian individuals shall be uncovered, and the corrupt people who’ve hijacked our establishments shall be held accountable.”
She reiterated her dedication to hunt justice and accountability, noting that no quantity of suppression would cease her from her mandate.
“As a senator, I’ve an obligation to signify my constituents and uphold the ideas of justice and transparency. My allegations in opposition to Senate President Godswill Akpabio weren’t made evenly, and I’ll proceed to hunt justice and accountability, regardless of the fee,” she stated.
Clear case of political victimisation
Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan described her six-month suspension as a transparent case of political victimisation.
She argued that her suspension was a deliberate try to silence her.
“My six-month suspension is a transparent case of political victimisation, however I can’t be deterred. I’ll proceed to combat for the rights of Nigerian ladies and be sure that our voices are heard,” she stated.
The senator additionally urged the general public to disregard stories claiming she had apologised.
READ ALSO:Courtroom vacates order halting INEC from receiving recall petition in opposition to Akpoti-Uduaghan
“I urge the general public to disregard the viral report claiming that I apologised to the Senate, as it’s totally false. I’ll proceed to face by my reality and combat for what is true, even within the face of adversity.”
Recall from Senate
Whereas the senator continues to battle suspension, there are contemporary threats to her seat within the Senate.
PREMIUM TIMES reported on Monday that some members of her senatorial district submitted a petition to the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) to recall her from the higher chamber.
Nonetheless, she didn’t fail to deal with the problem of the transfer to recall her within the assertion.
Additionally, the Federal Excessive Courtroom in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Monday vacated an ex-parte injunction that had initially granted her some reduction on 20 March.
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