Nigerian senator, Ned Nwoko has reacted to the rift between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, PDP, Kogi Central and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Recall that she was recently suspended following sexual misconduct allegations she leveled against Akpabio.
Speaking on Sunday, Nwoko said he had asked Natasha if she was ready to apologize to Akpabio, and assured her that doing so would allow others to step in on her behalf.
But to his shock, she refused.
Ned Nwoko disclosed in parts;
“The Senate Followed Due Process. After that incident, the Senate Committee on Ethics invited her for a disciplinary hearing. That is the proper procedure. The committee heard from those who were present that day, and all agreed that she had acted in an unruly manner. The submitted report was clear that her conduct on the floor was unacceptable, and she should be suspended.
“I personally reached out to her during this process. I sent her messages because, as a lawyer, I know that a person must be allowed to state their case before any judgment is passed. I asked her:
“Are you prepared to apologize so that I can speak on your behalf? Ask that you be given the opportunity to apologize.”
“She responded that she did no wrong. That didn’t stop me. I told her directly: You are wrong. I watched the video. I saw what happened. The report before us was not about any sexual harassment claim. It was strictly about her disorderly conduc,..”.
“I was also deeply disappointed by her husband’s reaction. I had expected him to find a way to de-escalate the matter to prevent it from becoming a full-blown crisis.
“When he sent me his statement and reaction, I told him exactly how I felt. If my wife were in such a situation, I would do everything possible to resolve the issue privately and manage it in a way that does not cause further division.
“It is even more surprising because her husband has been friends with the Senate President long before he married Natasha. This could have been settled without this level of unnecessary public drama.”,
