Senate September 23 resumption: Akpoti-Uduahan’s return hangs in the balance as 6 months suspension expires
Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has served out the six months suspension slammed on her by the Senate on the 6th of March this year, normally clearing any obstacles to her resumption for plenary set for September 23. Will the senate allow her resume without any hitches?
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, was suspended for six months from all the activities of the apex legislative Assembly following her indictment by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, for violation of Senate rules.
However, the Senator had relentlessly contested the suspension, claiming that it was a direct consequence of her petition against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, over allegation of sexual harassment.
Consequent upon the suspension, the Upper Chamber barred the lawmaker from legislative activities, entrance to her office in the National Assembly complex, and the use of official resources.
The aggrieved Kogi-born politician and lawyer, who continually contested the verdict of the Senate against her, maintained that the six month punitive action slammed on her was politically motivated.
Accordingly, in her bid to get the suspension terminated before the duration stipulated time, Akpoti-Uduaghan in July, stormed the National Assembly complex with a her team of supporters, made up of politicians and civil society groups.
She was actually making attempt to enforce a judgement by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja on the matter, which she interpreted to have quashed the suspension.
Unfortunately, the legislator and her team were denied access by the National Assembly security at the last gate to National Assembly complex, a development that attracted divergent reactions from the public.
