A coalition of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, has urged Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to apologize to the Senate and end the current impasse.
It could be recalled that part of the condition the Senate gave for Natasha’s return to the Parliament was that she should tender a written apology.
The Senator is yet to do so.
However, in a statement on Wednesday, a coalition of CSO leaders said time had come for Senator Natasha to seek an end to the confrontation.
The statement was signed by Martins Onyebuchi, Convener and Alhaji Mohammed Audu, Co-Convener.
They said Senator Akpabio’s handling of the matter showed that he was interested in peace.
According to the CSOs, “We demand that Senator Natasha should as a matter of urgency apologize.
“The recent window opened by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio was a good example of his respect and regard in ensuring equal opportunities for both male and female counterparts in the Nigerian Senate.
“The Senate President’s position justifies his recent statement that he holds women in high esteem as against what Senator Natasha is parading.
“World all over, the Senate operates within laid down rules and procedure, so the Nigerian Senate leadership can’t be treated with impunity and reckless abandon.
“It’s high time you Senator Natasha should acknowledge your wrong doing by ignoring the Senate standing order and rule.”
It took notice that Senator Natasha comported herself during her recent international outing, stressing that “she followed the procedure and rules in making her presentation as she sat at the rightful place provided for her.”
The group urged the Senator “to consider alternative peaceful and internal mechanisms to resolve this issue, prioritizing the safety and stability of Nigeria’s democracy.
“Sexual harassment allegation can never be the reason for you not to comform with the Nigerian Senate laid down rules.
“As a respected Civil Society Organization, we promote women’s participation in politics devoid of emotions or blackmail, rather encouraging a healthy and stable coexistence between both genders.
“Running to the international community even while you have submitted to the Nigerian court was also the height of it.
“However the major concern is to ensure that you’re not being influenced by external interest to disrupt leadership of the Nigerian Senate.
“We still greatly believe that exploring internal mechanisms could have led to a more satisfactory outcome than chasing clout because every struggle must have a clear objective.
“We appreciate Akpabio’s leadership and commitment to Nigeria’s development.
His dedication to the country’s progress is evident in his efforts to maintain peace and stability within the Senate in the face of provocation, his composure and openness to his colleagues show good leadership qualities.”
“Let us move forward with patriotism, prioritizing the nation’s interest above individual concerns.
“We seek a peaceful resolution, and we’re confident that, together, we can achieve desired democracy and entrench rule of law,” it further advocated.