By Naomi Sharang
The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has described her suspension from the Senate as unjust and against the principles of natural justice, fairness and equity.
She made this known on her Facebook page while reacting to her suspension on Thursday by the Senate as recommended by its Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months over “total violation of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 as amended”.
The Senate also approved that her salaries and allowances be suspended.
Reacting, Akpoti-Uduaghan said that “Against the culture of silence, intimidation and victim-shaming; my unjust suspension from the Nigerian Senate invalidates the principles of natural justice, fairness and equity.
“The illegal suspension does not withdraw my legitimacy as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I will continue to use my duly elected position to serve my constituents and country to the best of my ability till 2027 and beyond,” she said.
Meanwhile, an interest group, All Progressives Congress (APC) Professionals Network, has urged Nigerians to protect the sanctity of the legislature, especially the Senate, in the ongoing dispute between the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio and Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The group made the call in a statement issued by its President, Dr Victor Oluwafemi, in Abuja on Thursday.
“Our major concern here is that the legislature is one of the oldest arms of government that is far bigger than any individual and should be treated as a sacred institution.
“Nigerians should first and foremost consider the sanctity of the institution; it should not be dragged into the mud in the name of highly-wired politics.
“Peace should be allowed to prevail, as the various committees involved should be allowed to do their work,” he said.
Oluwafemi commended the senate president for the humility displayed during the submission filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing him of sexual harassment.
According to him, Akpabio’s conduct has proved that he has nothing to hide in the whole matter.
“From all indications, the senate president has nothing to hide.
“We candidly advise Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan to slow down because she’s turning this whole thing to theatre and causing embarrassment to the country,” he said.
It could be recalled that the seat of Akpoti-Uduaghan in the senate chambers was changed, a development that did not go down well with her.
She decided to raise a motion of privilege in line with Order 10 of the senate which allows every senator to speak to issues of breach of privilege but was not recognised to speak by the senate president for not obeying seat arrangements in line with order 6 of the senate rules.
The situation degenerated into exchange of words between both senators after which the president of the senate mandated the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to look into the matter.
Speaking to media after the face off, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that she was being sexually harassed by Akpabio.
The matter had attracted several conversations among various groups protesting for and against both senators.
Though Federal High Court in Abuja issued an order restraining the committee from investigating Akpoti-Uduaghan, the committee sat and came up with recommendations for her suspension and demanded that she tendered an apology in writing to the senate.
The committee argued that the judiciary does not have powers to interfere in the internal affairs of the legislature. (NAN)
