The National Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (NACOCSO), has rallied in support of Senate President Godswill Akpabio amid ongoing tensions over Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, urging Natasha to apologise and move on.
The coalition, comprising 27 groups made their position known during a peaceful protest march, at the National Assembly, dismissing allegations of gender-based suppression, and declaring that the issue is a matter of disorderly conduct rather than sexual harassment.
The national coordinator, NACOCSO, Comr. Adebayo Lion Ogorry, who read a prepared speech to journalists during the event, maintained that Natasha allegedly violated decorum by resisting a routine seating arrangement change, prompting disciplinary action.
The coalition emphasised that such reshuffles are standard and unrelated to gender.
NACOCSO noted the Senate does not adjudicate such claims, which Natasha has taken to court, questioning the timing of her allegations, citing her prior interactions with Akpabio at international events.
According to Ogorry, “She had multiple opportunities to report it to the Senate, the Police, or any authority, yet she did not until when her seat was changed.
“Futhermore, even after this alleged incident, she traveled multiple times with the Senate president for international events, which were well-documented online.
“She was in the same spaces as him, attended meetings with him, and was often with her husband during these trips.
“The Senate must not bow to emotional blackmail or social media outrage fueled by false or half-truth narratives”.
NACOCSO recalled that the Senate unanimously passed a confidence vote in Akpabio on March 13, 2025, days after Natasha addressed the Inter-Parliamentary Union in New York.
NACOCSO’s stance aligns with the Senate’s disciplinary actions, urging Nigerians to reject “emotional blackmail” and uphold institutional order. The coalition’s rally underscores deepening political divisions, with Akpabio retaining legislative support despite external scrutiny.
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