…as supporters defy tight security at National Assembly
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has resumed duties following the expiration of her six months suspension, , declaring she would never apologise to the Senate leadership as a condition for her return.
Hundreds of supporters from Kogi Central had flooded the gates of the Assembly, singing solidarity songs and waving placards as security operatives tightened access to the complex.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker made her way through the crowd into her previously sealed office, which had been unsealed earlier in the day. Inside, she told journalists that her suspension was “fraudulent and unconstitutional,” and accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of orchestrating it.
“Senator Akpabio is not more of a senator than I am. He is not the governor of this place, but he treated me as if I was his servant or domestic staff in his house. It is very unfortunate that after so many years of democracy, the National Assembly is being run in such a dictatorial manner. It is totally unacceptable,” she said.
“I read in the papers that the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, would on October 7 move a motion calling on me to apologise. I am actually worried as to what apology they expect from me. You can’t apologise for an injustice. If they are expecting me to apologise, I don’t have those words. And if that is the condition for opening this office, then I think we have a long dance to make.”
She alleged that the suspension process was riddled with fraud. “The document that led to my suspension, which Senator Neda Imasuen read, was written by the office of the Senate President. The signatures that endorsed it were not willful; there was only a tender sheet attached. The entire process was fraudulent, and Nigerians should reject such things,” she said.
Recounting her ordeal since July, the senator said she and her supporters had endured “six months of persecution.”
“We survived the recall attempt. We survived the blockage of roads and waterways into Kogi that forced us to fly in by helicopter. We survived blackmail from the so-called crazy lady on Facebook. It’s amazing what we had to survive. To God Almighty be the glory,” she said.
She became emotional while thanking her husband, children and constituents for their support. “My husband, my love, I say I love you dearly, and I pray all men support their wives as much as you have supported me. To my children, thank you for your sacrifices. To the good people of Kogi Central, Kogi State and Nigeria at large, I am deeply grateful.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan also hailed political leaders, professional bodies and civil society organisations that opposed her suspension. “I thank Obiageli Ezekwesili, Sister Aisha, Mama P, Peter the Rock, Dr Viola, Uncle Femi Falana, Atiku Abubakar, Bukola Saraki, Labour Party, ADC, PDP, the Nigerian Bar Association and the Nigeria Labour Congress. The voices of Nigerians made it clear to the Senate President that he could not keep pushing against the will of the people.”
She extended her gratitude to the media. “Even though there was some silence three months ago, I understand. Intimidation exists, and you all have families to cater for. Unfortunately, we live in a country where lives mean little. But I thank you for being fair.”
Despite her suspension, she insisted she never abandoned her legislative duties. “No day went by without me looking for opportunities to bring infrastructure and jobs to my people. I didn’t want them to suffer the neglect and vacuum created by this injustice,” she stressed.