The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CNCSOs) have strongly condemned the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, calling it a “hurried and malicious” attempt to silence her.
In a fiery statement on the 10th of March, 2025, the groups issued a seven-day ultimatum demanding Senate President Godswill Akpabio step down, warning of mass protests and international mobilization if their demand was ignored.
Signed by CNPP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, James Ezema, and CNCSOs’ National Secretary, Alhaji Ali Abacha, the statement accused the Senate of bias and blatant disregard for due process.
They alleged that the six-months suspension was nothing more than retaliation for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition, in which she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.
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The groups further lambasted the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for proceeding with disciplinary action despite a Federal High Court order, issued by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, restraining them from doing so. In an apparent defiance of the law, the Senate pressed forward with the suspension, ignoring the court’s ruling.
They also raised concerns over the astonishing speed with which the matter was investigated, deliberated, and concluded.
“How can Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, as the Senate Leader, justify the urgency of this process? This reeks of bias and raises doubts about the integrity of the proceedings,” the statement read.
In response to what they described as a grave injustice, the groups called for an expanded probe panel, demanding that its proceedings be broadcast live by both local and international media.