Akpabio: CUPP reacts to alleged move to arrest Nigerian Senator, Natasha

Akpabio: CUPP reacts to alleged move to arrest Nigerian Senator, Natasha

The Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, has raised its voice against the purported move to arrest Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.There were revelations recently made by the suspended lawmaker, among which was an alarm, claiming that there are plans underway to arrest her.CUPP said that this 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,” CUPP said in a statement signed by its National Secretary, Chief Peter Ameh.Senator Natasha’s fears stem from what she alleged as a targeted effort to silence her voice.She warned that any attempt to arrest her would serve as undeniable evidence that Nigeria’s democratic ideals are under severe threat.“Freedom of expression and movement—cornerstones of any functioning democracy—would suffer a crushing blow if such an action were to materialize.“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. The Senate, as a body of elected representatives, is duty-bound to protect the rights of its members 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 own credibility and signaling a dangerous precedent: that 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 votes of the people—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.“If such matters indeed lead to Senator Natasha’s arrest, the implications would be dire. Our democracy, already grappling with challenges of 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.“Nigerians must ask themselves: what kind of nation do we aspire to be? One where elected officials live in fear of reprisal for speaking their minds, or one where the principles of justice, fairness, and freedom prevail? Senator Natasha’s cry is not hers alone; it is a warning to all who value the fragile democracy Nigeria has fought to sustain. If her arrest comes to pass, it will not just be an attack on one senator—it will be an assault on the very soul of the nation.“The alleged plan to arrest Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan 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.”

Source: Akpabio: CUPP reacts to alleged move to arrest Nigerian Senator, Natasha

 - NigerianEye

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