The immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian-American Public Affairs Committee, Texas, Mr Ike Chidolue, has urged Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to present credible evidence to support her allegations or resign from the Senate.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, had accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello of conspiring to kill her.
Chidolue made the call in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
His reaction followed the senatorโs recent Facebook post, in which she dismissed a viral May 1 Facebook Live broadcast by Dr Sandra Duru (also known as Prof. Mgbeke).
Akpoti-Uduaghan had described the broadcast which featured audio recordings and screenshots that appeared to contradict her public denials on several matters as โmanipulatedโ and โpolitically motivated.โ
However, Chidolue said the senator had failed to present any facts or evidence to defend her position.
According to him, โHer post offered no facts, no forensics, and certainly no credibility.
โWhat it does offer, unfortunately, is a continuation of a now-familiar pattern sensational allegations, quickly recycled into conspiracy claims once confronted with inconvenient evidence.โ
Chidolue added that if the materials presented by Duru were authentic, they portrayed a troubling picture of a public official weaponising unproven accusations for political mileage.
He cited a number of claims made by Akpoti-Uduaghan which had not been substantiated with verifiable evidence. These included allegations of sexual harassment by Senate President Akpabio, claims that former Governor Yahaya Bello was contracted to assassinate her, and accusations that the Akpabios were involved in the 2021 death of a minor.
He also referred to her assertion that her reassignment on the Senate floor was punishment for rejecting advances.
โNot one of these claims has been substantiated by a police report, sworn affidavit, Senate resolution, or authenticated document.
โWhen confronted with contradictory evidence, the senatorโs response has been predictable: attack the source, dismiss the proof, and shift the goalposts,โ Chidolue stated.
He therefore recommended a four-step approach to restore public confidence.
According to him, Akpoti-Uduaghan should first verify or refute Duruโs recordings through an independent forensic laboratory publicly.
โShe should also present evidence including police reports, court filings, and Senate records to support every claim, or pursue legal redress if defamed,โ he said.
Failing all else, Chidolue added, she should issue a public apology and vacate her Senate seat.
โLet it be said plainly that Nigeriaโs public institutions are not theatres for trial-by-sentiment.
โWhen elected leaders make explosive claims, they owe the public facts, not theatrics. Nigerians deserve better than conjecture and drama.
โThe time for storytelling has expired. The burden is now hers: evidence or exit,โ Chidolue concluded.
(NAN)
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