By Ekuson Nw’Ogbuka, Abuja
Although Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio has tendered apologies to Senator Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan for addressing her wrongly at a recent plenary in the National Assembly, but a constitutional lawyer of repute, Amobi Nzelu Esq has frowned at the way Mr Senate President addresses his fellow senators.
Nzelu, the principal partner of Chinenye Chambers, Abuja, while addressing some journalists in his Chambers in Abuja with a view in calling the senate president had this to say: “Be reminded, Mr Senate President that you are just first among equals. Therefore, your language at all time must be seasoned, garnished and polite.
“To address Senator Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan during a plenary that, ‘she is not in a night club,’ is an insult to the personality of the women who she represents and she is also a married woman. She represents people and therefore, she should not be cowed down.”
He continued: “The other time, you had issue with the former Senate President Ahmad Lawan, again with Senator Abaribe, then Senators Nwoye, Abdul Ningi, Ali Ndume and now Natasha Akpoti -Uduaghan. Stop hearing up the political space. If you are not properly trained for the job, go back for tutorials.
“Did you listen to Kenyan president over what is going – on, in Kenya? He publicly apologized to his people and gave them three options, either to send him to court marshal, or retire him or forgive him. The language came out of the mouth of a president. In Nigeria, you people are the lord of manor.”
“Being a lawyer, of more than 30 years post call experience, ex governor, ex minister, among others, you should be merchant of seasoned, garnished and polite language. Your language should be far from being a gutter language. The charisma that follows the office of the senate president, appears to be far away from you. You should therefore submit yourself to proper grooming and studied ethics of the office you are occupying.”
Recalled that at a plenary on Tuesday, the senate president tendered apologies to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, for an uncomplimentary comment, directed at her, during a plenary, noting that during the plenary, he would never deliberately denigrate a woman.
It will be reported that, the incident occurred last week Thursday, when Akpabio rebuffed Natasha, while she attempted to speak without, being invited during his speech.
The senate president remarked: “Senator Natasha, you cannot speak without being asked or invited to speak in the Senate. This is not a night club.”
While reiterating in his apology that he never intended to insult any woman, even as he mentioned that his phone had been overwhelmed with insults regarding the issue, the senate president therefore said: “I will not intentionally denigrate any woman, and I always pray that God will uplift women. Distinguished Senator Natasha, I want to apologise to you. The interest shown on social media indicates that we have enemies. I felt I should tender a public apology to you. I do not mean any harm. People should focus on things that will move this country forward. Social media handlers should practice with decorum. We won’t regulate social media out of anger.”
However, the senate president advised those in the social media to be moderate in performance of their duties, even as he said the senate wouldn’t ban them, but was quick to reiterated the need for them to report the country positively for everybody’s interest, which if done, according to him will not only be for everybody’s interest, but also give good image to the country.
