From Moses Okiti, Ihima, Kogi State
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi-Central Senatorial District, has announced that she will resume legislative duties at the Senate on Tuesday, July 22, in accordance with a court judgment that declared her suspension unlawful.
This decision was taken amid on-going appeal filed by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, challenging the judgement.
Speaking to journalists in her Ihima home, Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan said she had formally written to the Senate notifying them of her plans to return to the Red Chamber, emphasizing that her resumption is backed by law and judiciary verdict.
“I have pretty much two months more before the six months expire. However, I have written to the Senate again telling them that I’m resuming on the 22nd, which is on Tuesday, by the special grace of God.
“I will be there (in the Senate Chamber), because the court did make the decision on that. Now, they argue that it’s an order. It’s not an order; it is a decision,” she stated.
The senator further lamented the impact of her suspension on her legislative duties, particularly her inability to sponsor bills or raise motions that directly affect her constituents.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended earlier this year over allegations relating to her legislative conduct, a decision that sparked widespread criticism from civil society organizations and rights advocates, who described the suspension as undemocratic and politically motivated.
