Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has described a recent claim by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of a plot to arrest her as a dangerous development for Nigeria’s democracy, saying it raised fundamental questions about the integrity of the nation’s democratic experience.
The National Secretary, Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Peter Ameh, in a statement, on Monday, noted that if the allegations were true, they marked a troubling shift toward political suppression, where dissent attracted intimidation rather than dialogue.
Natasha had said the threat was a deliberate move to muzzle her voice, warning that her arrest would be a clear sign of Nigeria’s democratic backsliding.
According to the coalition secretary, the mere possibility of an elected official being targeted for speaking out evokes unsettling memories of authoritarian rule, where power is wielded not through consensus, but coercion, adding that a nation that has fought hard for democratic stability, cannot afford to slide into a culture of political persecution.
“The handling of this controversy by the Nigerian Senate only deepens the crisis. By refusing Senator Natasha a fair hearing, the Senate, an institution meant to safeguard justice, has undermined its own credibility. The Senate’s duty is to foster dialogue and uphold democratic values, yet its actions suggest a dangerous precedent: that voices of opposition will be punished rather than heard.
“While Nigeria has shown resilience, democracy remains fragile. The arrest of a duly elected senator would send a chilling message—that those in power will suppress opposition to maintain control. If these concerns materialise, the consequences will be dire: a country already battling corruption, insecurity and institutional decline could find itself on the precipice of full-blown authoritarianism,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Ike Chidolue of Nigerian-American Public Affairs Committee (NAPC USA) has flayed Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over her recent participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York.
Chidolue, in a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, lamented that Akpoti-Uduaghan chose to prioritise and scandalise the country in a way that distracted international development partners from the issues in the country.
He said: “Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s decision to publicly indict the leadership of Nigeria’s parliament at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), without any official delegation or endorsement, transcends mere political grievance.
“It represents a serious breach of parliamentary ethics, an affront to national sovereignty, and a reckless gamble with Nigeria’s diplomatic credibility. Stripped of emotion, her actions set a dangerous precedent, one where personal grievance is paraded as national advocacy, and national institutions are sacrificed on the altar of personal vindication. The widespread condemnation and accusations of international sabotage are not misplaced—they are justified,” he said.
