- Women’s Group Calls for Fair Hearing, Plans Solidarity March
Kinsmen of embattled Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Ochiga-Ihima community in Kogi State have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing crisis between her and Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seat reallocation in the Senate.
They also called on Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies to reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan’s security details, citing concerns over her safety and exposure to political adversaries.
The kinsmen further demanded an independent investigation into the dispute. In a statement issued in Ilorin and signed by Alhaji Abdul-Aziz Sani, Secretary of the Ochiga-Ihima Descendants Union, they argued that the Senate Ethics Committee lacks the credibility to handle the case fairly.
“The outcome of their proceedings seems predetermined. Only an independent investigative body or court can ensure fair hearing and impartial judgment,” the statement read.
They also condemned Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension, rejecting any condition that requires her to apologize to Akpabio or the Senate in exchange for lifting the penalty.
“The expectation should be for the Senate to uphold justice and protect its public and international reputation,” they added.
Similarly, Every Woman Hope Centre (EWHC), a women’s rights advocacy group, has urged authorities to uphold due process in handling the matter.
At a press conference in Abuja, EWHC Founder and Executive Director, Mrs. Edel-Quinn Antisesbu, decried the alleged denial of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s right to a fair hearing. She emphasized that any wrongdoing should be addressed through due process to preserve the integrity of the Senate.
The group criticized the senator’s suspension, stating that it effectively silences a female legislator and leaves Kogi Central Senatorial Zone without representation.
EWHC also raised concerns over the broader implications for women in politics, describing the situation as a reflection of the entrenched culture of silencing and marginalizing female politicians.
In response, the organization announced plans to mobilize women across Nigeria for a solidarity march, advocating for justice and equal political participation.
