….demand unreserved apology

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – WOMEN in South-South geopolitical zone under the auspices of Concerned South South Women Group, weekend, protested Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s alleged disrespect of the President of the Senate, Senator God’swill Akpabio over seat rearrangement in the Senate chambers.

Speaking on behalf of the women, Hon Ebiere Akpobesa, explained why they hit the streets of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, to protest the alleged disrespectful behavior by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, towards Senator Akpabio, during a recent plenary session, saying that they were basically out to express disappointment over Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s outburst and heated exchange of words with tempers running high as she vehemently ignored and rejected the Senate’s seating arrangements and raising her voice even after being ruled out of order. 

Akpobesa also condemned Akpoti-Uduaghan’s refusal to leave the chamber when asked, and described her actions as inappropriate for a lawmaker of that level.

Meanwhile, the angry protesters carried placards with different inscriptions.

The protesters also demanded an unreservedly public apology from Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Senate President, Senator Akpabio or face disciplinary action based on Senate rules.

She said: “We, the members of this group, are not comfortable with the rude and unethical behavior exhibited by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against our revered Senate President. 

“The rules are meant to be obeyed and she cannot consider herself above the law by flouting the laid-down procedures of the Senate.

“She ought to know that unless the Senate President recognizes her, she cannot speak. This is not a lawless country or a chaotic parliament where everyone speaks at will. 

“Her decision to continue addressing the Senate after the gavel had been struck overruling her was highly uncivilized.”

Meanwhile, she (Akpobesa) while commending the President of the Senate, Senator Akpabio for his leadership and commitment to women empowerment, maintained that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan should be sanctioned and suspended until she apologizes to Akpabio, the Senate, and the South-South region. 

She also warned that failure to apologize would make her (Akpoti-Uduaghan) an enemy of South-South women, as she further called on female politicians to uphold respect and dignity in governance, saying African women are known for their decorum and should set good examples in public service.

“You cannot talk back to the Senate President as if he is your contemporary. The Senate President is the first among equals and wields enormous legal authority. Disobedience to the orders of the Senate President is an act of contempt and is punishable under the rules of the Senate.

“We will not allow this young woman to disrespect our pride- the number three citizen of Nigeria and the leader of the South-South and Niger Delta”, she added.