A group – Annang Union Foundation has expressed disdain following the revelation by Dr Sandra Duru (Prof Mgbeke) of the ‘many lies, mudslinging and coordinated falsehoods and tactics’ by the suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to tarnish the image of Nigeria’s Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The group also frowned at Prof Mgbeke’s report, which claimed that the purpose of controversy between both senators was a plan by Natasha to derail and truncate the government of President Bola Tinubu, calling it a “Yoruba Government.”
Recall that Prof Mgbeke, a US-based activist and media personality, had in a Facebook Live on Thursday night displayed phone call logs and WhatsApp conversations, alleging that Natasha offered her ₦200 million to publicly accuse Akpabio of sexual harassment and organ harvesting, associating him to the 2021 death of a young woman named Umoren.
Reacting to the revelation, the Anang Union Foundation in a statement co-signed by its President Adede Nsikak Affia, and Secretary-General Adede Adaha Etuk said, “We condemn in its entirety, the labelling of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a “Yoruba Government” and call on all patriotic sons and daughters of Nigeria to flay such categorisation.
“The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration came to power through the collective and majority votes of Nigerians across tribes, religion and cultures and it is therefore very wrong and treasonable to be labelled a “Yoruba Government.
“We view this statement as inciting, unpatriotic, insulting, repulsive, disgusting and intensely distasteful. We appeal to the Federal Government to take appropriate steps to call suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and her cohorts to order.”
The group emphasised that throughout the reign of President Muhammadu Buhari, no Nigerian of any tribe called it a “Fulani Government” or tried to stop it from having a second term, adding that, “what is good for the goose, is good for the gander.”
The foundation, therefore, said the actions, inactions and statements credited to Senator Natasha on the Tinubu-led administration were a direct invitation to chaos, disunity and war.
The Anang Union Foundation also condemned the alleged attempt by the Senator to ridicule the National Assembly and Nigeria in the international space. “We submit that suspended Senator “Natasha’s action is condemnable, unethical, unwarranted, unwholesome, preposterous, nauseating, rash and repugnant”
The group therefore commended Prof Mgbeke for her patriotism, truthfulness, courage and concern for Nigeria’s future and sheer audacity and revolutionary stance.
The group commended Senator Akpabio for showing leadership, being a man of peace and honour, and exhibiting maturity, passing a vote of confidence on him for coming out strong and undaunted in the face of such intimidation and tempest.
“We warn that people should not capitalize on the Senate President’s simplicity and compassionate disposition to tar and or malign our revered Leader, Chief (Dr) Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON. Like our people used to say: “Jak akpatre ntang unen ature ke edong” translated as: “let the last feather of the hen stops at the knees.” Enough is Enough!
“Any further distraction from any individual, groups or quarters would be faced with stiffed opposition. This is not the first Senate President and will not be the last.
“We call on all well-meaning indigenes of this country to rally round and ensure that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu government delivers on its mandate and serve its tenure till 2031,” the statement added.
