The PDP criticised the decision, stating that the hasty suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan without an open investigation into her claims against the Senate President was a blatant violation of parliamentary principles. 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Senate leadership, under Senator Godswill Akpabio, of a desperate attempt to cover up allegations of sexual harassment by suspending Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The PDP criticised the decision, stating that the hasty suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan without an open investigation into her claims against the Senate President was a blatant violation of parliamentary principles. 

The party in a statement signed by Debo Ologunagba, the PDP National Publicity Secretary on Friday, argued that the move not only denied her the right to a fair hearing but also suggested that the Senate condones inappropriate behaviour by its leadership.

“It is scandalous, and amounts to gross abuse of office and violation of the fundamentals of justice and fair hearing for Senator Akpabio to sit as a judge in a matter in which he is the accused; a situation which validates public apprehension of a desperation by the embattled Senate President to suppress open legislative probe into the allegation of sexual harassment leveled against him,” the PDP stated. 

The party recalled that this was not the first time Akpabio had been accused of sexual harassment, referencing allegations made against him by Dr Joi Nunieh, former acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). 

“If Senator Akpabio has nothing to hide, what Nigerians expected of him was to clear his name by stepping aside in line with established parliamentary practice, allow and submit to an open and unbiased investigation into the allegation of sexual harassment by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan,” the statement continued. 

The PDP described the situation as a national embarrassment, stressing that Akpabio’s alleged involvement in such a case had tarnished the reputation of the Senate. 

“Ordinarily under this situation, the Senate President needs no prodding to step aside for an independent investigation to clear his name,” the PDP said. 

The party also accused the Senate leadership of being embroiled in multiple scandals since Akpabio assumed office, including allegations of financial impropriety and failing to hold the executive accountable. 

“More distressing is the fact that since Senator Akpabio assumed office as the Senate President, the leadership of the Senate has been largely unfocused and constantly embroiled in scandals including allegations of financial impropriety as well as negligence and abdication of its constitutional duty of checks and balances to the excesses of the Executive Arm to the detriment of millions of Nigerians,” the statement read. 

Furthermore, the PDP reminded Nigerians of pending investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into allegations of corruption against Akpabio during his tenure as Governor of Akwa Ibom State and as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

“Moreover, Nigerians can recall that there are pending investigations before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegation of looting of N108.1 billion belonging to Akwa Ibom State under Senator Akpabio’s watch as Governor as well as alleged N86billion contract scam in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) during his tenure as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs,” the statement read. 

With protests already erupting at the National Assembly over Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, the PDP urged the Senate to restore its credibility by reinstating her and allowing an open investigation into the matter.