Labour Party (LP) National Youth Leader, Kennedy Ahanotu, has called for the suspension of Neda Imasuen, the Labour Party Senator representing Edo South in the Senate for his mishandling of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case.
Ahanotu stated at a press conference on Tuesday at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja “It’s no longer news that one non-compliant Labour Party, Senator Neda Imasuen, representing Edo South Senatorial District, was used as a willing tool to perpetuate what has been widely described as injustice and the humiliation of a Youthful voice in the Senate, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan without proper investigation.
“We, the Nigerian youths, have, in clear terms, condemned such rascality perpetrated by the Ethics and Privilege committee led by Neda Imasuen in clear violation of an order of the court.
“It’s clear to the Nigerian youths that an investigative panel, which was set for 11th March 2025, was mysteriously rescheduled to hold on 5th March 2025. Our question remains, “What is the haste for?
“Given such a hasty decision to suspend Natasha, Senator Neda Imasuen and his subsequent posturing afterward has no doubt left everyone in shock about his possible dislike for the womenfolk, a character which may be construed as being a misogynist.
“To the best of our knowledge, the Labour Party is a party for social democrats with tremendous respect for the female gender and the youth alike. It also believes so much in the principles of fair hearing, rule of law, and gender parity.”
According to Ahanotu, the 10th Senate’s rapid response in this instance contrasts sharply with its usual sluggishness on issues impacting everyday Nigerians.
He stressed that the situation in the National Assembly is not confined to ethnic, religious, or political divisions, as Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension results in the collective disenfranchisement of her constituents.
The youth leader went further to state, “We, therefore, make the following demands: The 10th Senate should immediately rescind the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and reconstitute a morally and mentally balanced committee to do proper investigative hearing of the matter to salvage the already tainted image of the 10th Senate. We demand that Senator Neda Imasuen be recused from the reconstituted Committee.
“The Nigerians Youths are, by this statement, calling on the people of Edo South to immediately commence a recall process for Senator Neda Imasuen for his poor representation and conduct at the Senate.
“On the matter concerning the distinguished Senator Natasha, it has been observed that Senator Imasuen has not satisfactorily applied internationally accepted principles of fair hearing in making recommendations which led to the controversial suspension of distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“We urge President Bola Tinubu to save the face of Nigeria in the Committee of Nations by speaking up against the humiliation suffered by the female gender in Nigerian politics, which his wife, as a serving Senator in the 9th Assembly, also faced.
“Mr President must ensure that his government works to preserve the democratic principles of fairness and rule of law.
“Nigerian youths are also demanding that the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, must present himself for investigation by an unbiased arm of government.
“He cannot continue to use his privileged position to frustrate the call for justice by the victim, Senator Natasha. A situation where one man will be a judge in his matter, like Senator Akpabio did, must be denounced and condemned”.