By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
The Coalition of United Political Parties has warned the Federal Government that the alleged plans to arrest the Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, will significantly threaten the nation’s democracy.
The CUPP issued the warning in a statement yesterday, which was made available to journalists in Abuja through its national secretary, High Chief Peter Ameh.
The Senator, who traveled to New York last week to attend a meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on March 11, raised the alarm on Sunday that security agencies were allegedly planning to pick her up anytime she returned to Nigeria.
Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed the move was linked to her participation in the IPU meeting, where she raised concerns about her suspension from the Senate and sexual harassment allegations against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The CUPP, reacting to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s fears, said arresting her would significantly threaten the country’s democracy.
Part of the statement read, “In a startling revelation, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has raised the alarm, claiming that plans are underway to arrest her.
“This disturbing assertion, if true, casts a dark shadow over Nigeria’s democratic landscape, raising serious questions about the state of freedom of expression and movement in the country.
“The Senator’s outcry is not just a personal plea for justice; it is a clarion call to all Nigerians who cherish the principles of democracy to stand against what could be the beginning of a full-blown dictatorship.
“Senator Natasha’s fears stem from what she perceives as a targeted effort to silence her voice. Any attempt to arrest her, she warns, would serve as undeniable evidence that Nigeria’s democratic ideals are under severe threat.”
The CUPP argued that the freedom of expression and movement, the cornerstones of any functioning democracy, would suffer a crushing blow if such an action materialized.
The group said, “The mere suggestion of an elected official being apprehended for speaking out is a chilling prospect, one that evokes memories of authoritarian regimes rather than a nation governed by the will of its people.
“Compounding this troubling situation is the conduct of the Nigerian Senate itself. According to what we have seen played out so far, the Senate, ab initio, has made a grave error in judgment by refusing to grant her a fair hearing.
“This refusal undermines the very institution meant to uphold justice and fairness. As a body of elected representatives, the Senate is duty-bound to protect its members’ rights and, by extension, the citizens they serve.
“By denying Senator Natasha the opportunity to defend herself or present her case, the Senate risks eroding its credibility and signalling a dangerous precedent: dissent within its ranks will be met with suppression rather than dialogue.
“Nigeria’s democracy, though resilient, is not invincible. The arrest of a duly elected senator, chosen by the people’s votes, would strike at the heart of the democratic process.
“It would suggest that those in power are willing to trample on the electorate’s will to maintain control, a hallmark of dictatorship rather than a government accountable to its citizens. The implications would be dire if such matters led to Senator Natasha’s arrest.
“Our democracy, already grappling with corruption, insecurity, and institutional decay, could be doomed to a fate where power is wielded not through consensus but through coercion. The situation demands urgent reflection and action.
“The alleged plan to arrest Senator Natasha Akpabio must be met with fierce resistance from all quarters. The Senate must reverse its misstep and grant her a fair hearing, while the government must reaffirm its commitment to democratic ideals.
“Anything less risks plunging Nigeria into a crisis from which its democracy may not recover. The stakes are high, and the time to act is now—before the echoes of dictatorship drown out the voices of the people,” CUPP stated.
