Amid threats of a long legal battle between the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagha, 55 civil society organisations under the aegis of Network of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria have pleaded with the lawmakers to sheath their swords and embrace an out-of-court settlement.
It would be recalled that Akpoti-Uduagha recently rejected the change of seat in the senate which is in line with the senate standing rule and further sued Akpabio for alleged sexual harassment.
While addressing journalists on Monday – today, March 3 – in Abuja, the FCT, National Coordinator of the CSOs, Victor Kalu and National Secretary, Ali Abacha, expressed worry that the crisis would further distract the legislative arm from their official duties as lawmakers
Kalu argued that the change of sitting position was a time-tested practice in the senate that preceded the 10th Assembly, which Senator Akpoti-Uduagha ought to know.
He said: “Finally, we appeal to both parties to stealth their sword in the overall interest of Nigerians to whom they swore allegiance to protect and work for
“We also appeal that all the court cases presently instituted as a result of this unavoidable matter, should be withdrawn to enable peaceful and amicable resolution of all the issues.
“The Network of Civil Society Organizations appeals to the good conscience of all politicians across the divide to understand that Nigerians are presently facing some difficult times and politicians must, rather, attach seriousness to viable political philosophies that can better advance democracy and the rule of law.”
He added that as a budding politician, “Distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, should know when to stop (as) he who fights and runs away, it is said, lives to fight another day.
“Therefore, having carefully studied the actions and activities of the Senate under its standing rules and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it has since been established that the Senate President has not violated any extant law in the discharge of his Constitutional and legislative duties.
“As a coalition of fifty-five independent and non-governmental civil society organizations from across the country with a shared vision and mandate to help protect and promote citizens’ rights and advance the course of democracy and good governance, we hereby pass a vote of confidence on the President of the Senate and his leadership and urge them to continue to stir the Senate on the path of equity and justice for all its members in particular and Nigerians at large.”
