Senate Crisis: Youth Leaders Call for Akpabio’s Resignation Over Unconstitutional Suspension
By Aluta News
March 20, 2025
Some northern youth organizations have called for a thorough investigation into the alleged sexual harassment to Senator Natasha Akooti-Uduaghan by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The Organizations also threatened to go on protests if the suspension if Senator Akooti-Uduaghan is not reversed.
They are North Central Youth Council (NCYC), Northern Youth Assembly of Nigeria (NYAN), Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), and Arewa Youth Union (AYU)—have strongly condemned the recent suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan.
During a joint News Conference in Abuja, the groups described the suspension as unconstitutional, biased and lacking due process.
“We Condemn in totality the so called suspension and the attempted Kangaroo Recall of Distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan. Democracy is not a personal property and shouldn’t be personalized, hence Senator Godswill Akpabio should know that he can’t continue be on that Seat forever and must respect the Rules governing the Senate Arms of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
“The Suspension is Unconstitutional, Lack due process, fully bais, inadequate appeal process and fair hearing, Competent Court has severely delivered Similar judgement, that a Nigerian Senator can not be suspended exceeding fourteenth (14) Legislative days, hence we demand the following with Immediate effects”.
The leader of the Groups and National President of North Central Youth Council, NCYC, Mallam Isah Abubakar accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of abuse of office and overstepping his authority.
They emphasized that democracy should not be personalized and argued that the suspension of Senator Akpoti Uduaghan violated Nigeria’s constitutional principles.
Citing previous court rulings, they asserted that no senator could be suspended for more than 14 legislative days, making the Senate’s action unlawful.
The youth organizations also pointed out that the senator was denied a fair hearing, further invalidating the process.
The Coalition called for the immediate reinstatement of Senator Akooti-Uduaghan and an apology from the Senate President.
“We demand the following with Immediate effects.
1 That Distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan be call back Immediately and apologize to by the Senate President
2.The Senate President Apologize to the North Central People especially Kogi Central for such unwarranted action
3. The Senate President step aside as he can’t be a Judge in his Case
4. That so call Kangaroo arrangement for recall is against the will of the People and it’s Dead on Arrival
6. That Mr President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR call the Senate President to Order
7. That we shall Match, if her Suspension continues, for it’s against the Law and the Constitution of Nigeria
8. That we are fully behind her in all Ramifications
9. That the Sexual Harassment Case be thoroughly Investigated and should not be swept under the Carpet
10. The she has a right to her privileges in the Senate”.
The Deputy President of NCYC, Comrade Franca Francis advised Senator Akpabio to step aside from his position as he cannot be judge in his case.
Francis also insisted that the attempt to recall Senator Natasha should be halted describing it as illegitimate.
The coalition warned that if the suspension is not reversed, they will mobilize mass protests to demand justice. They emphasized that the move against Akpoti Uduaghan is not just a personal attack but an affront to democracy and the people she represents.