The South-South Women Congress has strongly condemned what it described as the “unruly and disrespectful behavior” of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan towards Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, during Thursday’s plenary session in Abuja. The group has called on the senator to apologize or face sanctions in accordance with Senate rules.
In a statement issued on Friday in Warri, signed by the group’s leader, Mrs. Roli Akpomedaye, the Congress expressed disappointment over Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s disregard for the seating arrangements in the Senate, stating that her actions did not reflect the values of Nigerian women.
The statement read in part: “We, the members of the South-South Women Congress (SSWC), are deeply uncomfortable with the rude and unethical conduct exhibited by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan towards our respected Senate President.”
“Rules must be respected. She cannot be above the law by disregarding the established rules of the Senate. In any parliamentary setting, there are seating arrangements that members are expected to adhere to. Why would a lawmaker behave like a lawbreaker, especially by raising her voice after being ruled out of order by the Senate President?”
Akpomedaye further criticized Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for not being well-versed in legislative protocols despite over a year in the Senate. She added: “She should understand that unless the Senate President recognizes her, she has no right to speak. We do not live in a lawless country or a chaotic parliament where anyone can speak at will. She stood up to speak even after the Senate President had ruled her out of order, which is utterly uncivilized.”
“Even when ordered to leave the chamber for refusing to act respectfully, she persisted without decorum. You cannot disrespect the Senate President as if he were your peer. The Senate President holds a position of great authority, and defying his orders is a contemptuous act that could lead to serious consequences, including imprisonment.”
The group also praised Senator Akpabio’s leadership, highlighting his efforts to empower women during his brief tenure as Senate President.
The South-South Women Congress has called on the Senate to sanction Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for violating the privileges of the entire Senate by suspending her until she issues a public apology to Senator Akpabio, the Senate, and the people of South-South. The group warned that if she fails to apologize and demonstrate humility, they will consider her an enemy of South-South women.
“We will not stand idly by while she insults our pride, the number three citizen of Nigeria and the leader of the South-South and Niger Delta,” the statement concluded.
Punch
