Civil society, human and gender rights groups, youth and professional associations, public policy gurus, blue chip think tanks and the media punditocracy under the aegis of the Citizens United to Save Humanity (CUSH) have described as ‘baseless, unfounded, premeditated and self-serving’, allegations of amorous overtures, made by Senator Natasha Akpoti against the person of the Senate President, Dr Godswill Akpabio recently.
The CUSH in a communique signed by its public relations officer, Comrade Gbenga Afolayan and made available to newsmen further asserted: ‘We of the CUSH find it very hard to swallow such a weighty allegation made by a personality of the Senator Natasha’s standing when she had the opportunity of alerting Nigerians of such when it allegedly occurred many months or years ago. Being a married woman of many years standing, the right thing to do was for Senator Natasha to call out Senator Akpabio immediately such occurred and report same to the Senate Ethics, Power and Privileges Committee for timely action as well as all relevant bodies be it disciplinary, human, gender or civil rights.
For a married woman of high reputation to keep mute and pretend that nothing happened in the face of alleged sexual overtures by a male colleague, no matter his position smacks of complicity, hypocrisy and questionable rationality.
The salient question must be asked, why did Senator Natasha keep silent for so long and continue to relate amicably with the Senate President, her alleged amorous predator?
Was she playing along in order to obtain official or personal favours or privileges from the Senate President or was she favourably disposed to such overtures if it ever occurred?
In fact, we do not for one minute, believe the frivolous, sensational and patently vindictive allegations made by Senator Natasha as it is contrived to tarnish the hardworn image and reputation of Senator Akpabio and thus distract him from the onerous discharge of his duties as Senate President of the Nigerian Senate. The spurious allegations are also intended to incur the calculated hostility, enmity and contempt of many Nigerians especially the women, youths, students and professional class against the Senate President as they are deemed to be vehemently opposed to sexual harassment, intimidation and predation of any kind whatsoever.
Thankfully, many of such groups have come out to unconditionally denounce the patently false and misleading accusations levelled against the No 3 Citizen while expressing undiluted support for his person and office as he continues to steer the affairs of the Nigerian Senate for the overall welfare and benefit of the people.
Nigerians have come a long way and cannot allow themselves to be hoodwinked or bamboozled by the self-serving antics of entitled and ego-centric individuals who are not ready to obey laid down rules and regulations.
Anyone who feels not bound by such time-honoured rules, regulations or procedures should bow out of the Red Chamber graciously without undue spectacle or grandstanding.
Nigerians have more pressing needs, wants and desires which the National Assembly is presently addressing and enough of the unwarranted distractions please. Forward Ever, Backward Never’ – the CUSH communique concluded.
