On Friday, the Federal Government said that it is talking with the National Assembly leadership to mediate the recent suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
During a Meet-the-Press Program at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, State House correspondents were informed by the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Iman Suleiman-Ibrahim, that “we’re engaging all the stakeholders to ensure that they temper justice with mercy.”
Her remarks were made just 24 hours after Akpoti-Uduaghan was given a six-month suspension by the 10th Senate.
In a petition, the member claimed that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had sexually harassed her.
The alert was originally sounded on February 28 by Akpoti-Uduaghan.
However, when the ethics committee suggested that she be suspended for bringing mockery to the upper house, the Senate rejected her petition on procedural grounds.
The Women Affairs Minister responded to the events by saying, “It’s a regrettable incident that shouldn’t have happened.”
We had nine female senators in the last legislature.
“We don’t want the number of women in the Senate to drop or lose any members. “We’re going to act as peacemakers.
We’ll work with all parties involved to make sure that justice is balanced with mercy. Suleiman-Ibrahim stated that the Senate President’s willingness to speak freely gives her more confidence.
Yesterday, I attended the National Assembly, which was held at the Senate to commemorate International Women’s Day.
“We’re open to brokering peace,” was the Senate president’s final statement. “We will act as a mediator between the two parties to ensure that peace is maintained, and we will then keep raising awareness so that men and women can collaborate more effectively,” she stated.
Details will be provided later.
