In a statement released on Wednesday, the organisation stressed the need for an open and transparent inquiry into the allegations, asserting that Akpabio “cannot be a judge in his own case.”
The Socialist Workers League has called for the immediate reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and urged Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to step aside pending a full investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against him.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the organisation stressed the need for an open and transparent inquiry into the allegations, asserting that Akpabio “cannot be a judge in his own case.”
The statement was signed by the National Chairperson, Jamiu Towolawi, and National Secretary, Amara Nwosu, reaffirming their stance against sexual harassment and sexism in the Senate, the National Assembly, and across Nigeria.
The Socialist Workers League also demanded the resignation of Senator Neda Imasuen, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. They described it as “a shame” that Imasuen, who played a role in recommending Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, was previously disbarred as a lawyer in the United States and allegedly fled to Nigeria after being linked to a $25 million fraud case investigated by the FBI.
The statement read, “SWL condemns the ridiculous and anti-democratic developments taking place in the Senate chambers since Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan levelled serious allegations of sexual harassment allegation against, the Senate President, Godswill Akapbio.
“Rather than look at the substance of her allegations, the Senate has unleashed all manner of disdain and inhumane treatment against her. This included suspending her from the Senate for the next six months. This is unacceptable.”
They explained that the despicable manner that the Senate is handling this matter trivialises a major problem for democracy.
“It goes beyond Natasha. It is about women’s rights in what claims to be a democratic system. It is about the place of sexism and patriarchy as major stumbling blocks to social progress and building a better society.
“Furthermore, SWL notes that Senator Natasha’s motion to debate the corruption that has kept the Ajaokuta Steel Company unproductive is also entwined in this scandalous behaviour of the senate president, according to her,” they stated.The organisation said, “This is particularly worrying, given the potential economic benefits that the resuscitation of that plant will bring to the Nigerian people.
We are, however, not surprised, because that chamber is full of scoundrels who would sooner choose a legacy of ignominy and disgrace over the chance to secure the future of generations of Nigerians to come.
“How many more benefits have they deprived the Nigerian people out of patriarchal ego and sexual impropriety? Why must the senate leadership think it must control women? And is it not a shame that Senator Neda Imasuen, the Chair of the senate committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions, who recommended the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, himself was disbarred as a lawyer in the United States; and fled to Nigeria when linked with a $25 million fraud by the FBI?
“This condemnable scandal only reinforces our position that it is only a socialist revolution that can bring sanity back into governance in Nigeria. In the meantime, SWL calls for: an immediate reinstatement of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan; An open, transparent investigation of the allegations of sexual harassment.
“The stepping aside of Senator Godswill Akpabio as Senate President until the allegations have been fully investigated. He cannot be a judge in his own case.
“An unequivocal stand against sexual harassment and sexism in the Senate, National Assembly and everywhere in the country and the immediate resignation of Mr Neda Imasuen from the Senate,” the statement added.