Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan defies Senate leadership, storms NASS, denied access
By Kehinde Okeowo
Suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, arrived at the National Assembly complex on Tuesday to resume her duties, despite warning from Senate leadership not to do so.
Earlier in the day, a video making the rounds on social media showed increased presence of security personnel, including armed guards, at the entrance of the complex – apparently to prevent breakdown of law and order over Natasha’s return.
The lawmaker’s supporters were also seen converging at the entrance of the National Assembly complex in anticipation of her arrival.
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Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had on Saturday vowed that she will resume sitting on Tuesday, July 22, at the Red Chamber.
She cited a recent judgment by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja to justify her position.
However, in a counter-statement released on Sunday, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, dismissed the ruling claimed by the lawmaker.
He clarified that the court merely offered an “advisory opinion” and not a compulsory directive to the upper legislative chamber.
Meanwhile, when she attempted to drive inside the NASS complex, her convoy was stopped, denying her entry into the premises.
The senator’s car was behind the vehicle carrying activist, Aisha Yesufu.
They later came out of the cars and proceeded into the National Assembly on foot with some of her supporters.
The National Assembly complex and surroundings were taken over by security operatives in the early hours of Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Senate resumed plenary on Tuesday, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Addressing journalists at the entrance of the NASS complex after security personnel barred her from entering, Senator Natasha described the Senate leadership under Akpabio as the “worst in Nigeria’s history.”
She accused the Senate President of abusing his power by instituting an appeal against her following the decision of the Federal High Court.
“It’s quite unfortunate that we got to the National Assembly complex today, having duly notified the Senate about my resumption of legislative duty, and were denied access.
“As a matter of fact, I’m disappointed on two grounds. One is the number of armed policemen outside, who were all kitted with guns, charged at a female senator who is unarmed with her people (Nigerians).
“The second thing is that the Senate, under the leadership of Akpabio, has decided to become lawbreakers by denying me entrance into the chamber to resume my duties,” she stated.
She also clarified that the Senate has not appealed the decision of the Court that ordered her resumption, but Akpabio only did.
She added, “Akpabio cannot be greater than the Constitution, and I want Nigerians to know that the office of the Senate President doesn’t give me my legislative duties.
“The fact that he has gone to appeal himself against the decision of Justice Binta Nyako doesn’t deprive me of my rights as a senator. I was duly elected by my people (Kogi Central).
“It’s a shame that we have so many good Senate Presidents in the past but the Senate under Akpabio is the worst assembly Nigeria has ever had”.
