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The Middle-Belt Vanguard has rallied Nigerians in support of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central in the Senate.
Godwin Meliga, President of the Vanguard, issued a statement on Friday in Abuja, urging Senate President Godswill Akpabio treat his colleagues including Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan equally.
“The unnecessary and condescending remark made by Senator Akpabio was uncalled for. It was a public humiliation for Senator Natasha, who simply made a minor mistake, one that could have been addressed with understanding, not ridicule,” Meliga said.
The President of the Middle-Belt Vanguard also raised concerns about a more recent incident involving the reallocation of Senate seats on February 20, 2025.
Meliga alluded that while the Senate President holds the authority to assign or reassign seats, it is crucial that senators are informed or consulted beforehand, in line with both fairness and the Senate’s Standing Orders.
He specifically referred to Order 11(2), which mandates that senators must speak from their assigned seats.
“In this case, Senator Natasha was neither informed nor consulted about the reassignment of her seat. When she tried to raise her concerns, she was shut down, with the Senate President citing Order 6(2) to silence her,” Meliga explained.
“This use of parliamentary procedure to suppress her voice is not only unjust but contradictory, given that Senator Akpabio himself was once in a similar situation, where he spoke out even from an unassigned seat,” he recalled.
Meliga then urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, fellow senators, and the Nigerian public to rally behind Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, ensuring that she is treated with the respect and fairness she deserves as an elected representative of the people.
“We will not allow the abuse of women in leadership positions,” he declared.
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is an equal member of the Senate and must be treated with the same rights, dignity, and respect as every other senator.”
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