** Insist Senate President Morally Upright
Niger Delta Youth have drummed support for Goodswill Akpabio, describing the Senate President as patriotic and morally upright Nigerian.
The youth in a statement under the auspices of Niger Delta Youth Council of Nigeria (NDYCN) passed a vote of confidence in Akpabio and termed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan’s allegation as spurious, unsubstantiated and ridiculous, meant to tarnish the reputation and good image of the number three leader and head of legislative arm in the country.
The statement signed by President of NDYCN Comrade Ufuoma Victor Erharhine eulogized leadership qualities and immense contribution of Akpabio to nation building and development of democracy and its institutions, which according to him cannot be erased by mere and unproven allegation of sexual harassment.
Comrade Erharhine highlighted praiseworthy political and socio-economic antecedents of the Senate President as Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Minister of Niger Delta, declaring that the nation and people of Niger Delta in particular should be proud of an illustrious Son who had done so much for growth and development of the society.
“Akpabio is a true Nigerian and a patriotic citizen who is driven by passion, zeal and commitment to contribute his quota to the project of taking this nation to greater heights that will be the envy of all.
“A man who has sacrificed his time, energy and resources to ensure this country functions and remains as one entity deserves ceaseless accolades, not condemnation anchored on baseless allegation of flimsy sexual harassment peddled to achieve a determined agenda.
“The Senate President is singled out for persecution for doing his constitutional duty for ensuring sanity, law and order in the Red Chamber and the country as a whole.
“We won’t therefore watch as the drama of dragging the good name of Akpabio in the mud unfolds and perpetrated by some unseen forces in our political arena.
“We are by this statement declaring our unflinching allegiance and loyalty to an astute leader and an illustrious son of Niger Delta in the face of this allegation against his person and we are equally enjoining Nigerians to disregard forthwith the accusation against the Senate President,” he stated.