Natasha red flags Akpabio, cos “you get shut down if [what you want to say in the Chamber] “does not conform with what he wants”
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
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“I will say this, that it’s a shame that we have had some many good Senate Presidents like Chuba Okadigbo of blessed memory, we’ve had David Mark, Bukola Saraki, and we’ve even had Ahmed Lawan who is currently a Senator.
“This is much the worst [National] Assembly Nigeria has ever had and I hope we will not have to suffer this anymore because it tells a lot on the individual.
“I have said this before and I’m saying it again, Senate President Godswill Akpabio runs the Nigerian Senate as if it’s a third term Governor of Akwa Ibom.
“Many Governors are afraid, you have all seen what’s happening, you are not allowed to speak, when you try to speak or air your views on certain issues that are critical, you get shut down if it does not conform with what he wants” – Natasha.
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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) has blasted Godswill Akpabio as the worst Senate President in the history of Nigeria, accusing him of running the Upper Chamber like it is his third term as Akwa Ibom Governor.
Before becoming Senate President in 2023, Akpabio was Akwa Ibom Governor for two terms, from 2007 to 2011 and 2011 to 2015.
Natasha bared her mind in front of the National Assembly (NASS) gate on Tuesday after security prevented her from entering the building when she attempted to return to her seat from the six-month suspension the Senate imposed on her.
Senate plenary presided over by Akpabio on March 6 suspended her as the fall out of her allegation that he sexually harassed her. She was not given the opportunity to defend herself.
An Abuja Federal High Court earlier this month ruled her suspension period excessive and unconstitutional, but the Senate has refused to recall her, using spurious legal tactics.
Natasha, a lawyer by profession, tried to resume her seat on Tuesday but was first hindered by security at the NASS main gate, which she eventually walked past – accompanied by supporters – but was locked out at the entrance of the building.
“That outburst I had on the floor [in March this year] was just a combination of so many wrongs that Akpabio has meted against me,” she recounted.
“And I will say this, that it’s a shame that we have had some many good Senate Presidents like Chuba Okadigbo of blessed memory, we’ve had David Mark, Bukola Saraki, and we’ve even had Ahmed Lawan who is currently a Senator.
“This is much the worst [National] Assembly Nigeria has ever had and I hope we will not have to suffer this anymore because it tells a lot on the individual.
“I have said this before and I’m saying it again, Senate President Godswill Akpabio runs the Nigerian Senate as if it’s a third term Governor of Akwa Ibom.
“Many Governors are afraid, you have all seen what’s happening, you are not allowed to speak, when you try to speak or air your views on certain issues that are critical, you get shut down if it does not conform with what he wants.”
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