The National Transformational Initiative for Reconciliation and Forgiveness Advocacy has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing misunderstanding between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Describing the situation as needless and avoidable, the group expressed concern over the escalating tension stemming from the Senate’s internal disagreements, saying it has been blown out of proportion and now attracting global attention.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the Executive Secretary of the organisation, Alhaji Yusuf Ibrahim, said though the Senate as an institution has the constitutional powers to regulate its own conduct and affairs through its Standing Orders and Rules, the President can intervene to salvage the country’s image.
He lamented that a mere reshuffling of sitting arrangements has spiraled into a national controversy fueling allegations and political scheming.
Ibrahim maintained that the Senate as an institution must be protected from political misadventures and elements who detest the nation’s wellbeing.
He further warned that the continued discord in the Upper Chamber could erode Nigeria’s hard-earned reputation, stressing on the need for the President to swiftly initiate a political solution to resolve the matter.
Ibrahim said: “The Nigerian Senate occupies an enviable position as the highest Legislative Body in the country and in democratic nuances, every senator is addressed as distinguished as hallmark of personality values, hence commands huge respect.
“In this guise, the institution must be protected from the vagaries of political misadventures and surreptitious scheming from any quarters, more so from elements who detest our well being.
“It is in the light of the monumental damage being done to our image as a people that informed our decision to call on Mr. President to wade into the matter and save our dear country from further bartering of image in the global arena.
According to him, Nigeria is a nation of well cultured people who accord women due respect and dignity.
“Nigerians deserve to be accepted and accorded respect and given due dignity wherever they reside and that can only manifest when we jealously guard and protect the sanctity of our image effectively.
“The tirades spewing from various quarters over this sad development can only worsen the brewing discord, which some insidious people are already using to heat up the polity in the guise of protests and political scheming.
“The situation calls for a proactive strategy to douse the heightening tension being generated by stepping into the matter, which we believe that both parties will need your wise counsel on mitigating the issues involved.”
