• Says Senatorial Functions not Affected by Suspension

• Safiu Kehinde

The lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has slammed the Senate over her suspension, labelling it as unjust and invalidates the principles of natural justice, fairness and equity.

NPO reported that the Senate had yesterday suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over “total violation of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 as amended”.

As recommended by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, the Kogi lawmaker was suspended with her security details withdrawn and salary stopped after being found guilty of misconduct.

Recall that Natasha had last month caused stir in the Red Chamber following her outburst with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

Hours after her suspension, she took to her Facebook page where she accused the Senate of intimidation and victim-shaming.

“Against the culture of silence, intimidation and victim-shaming; my unjust suspension from the Nigerian Senate invalidates the principles of natural justice, fairness and equity.” She wrote.

The Kogi lawmaker, however, vowed to continue to exercise her duty as Senator, stressing that her illegal suspension does not withdraw her legitimacy to perform Senatorial functions.

“The illegal suspension does not withdraw my legitimacy as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I will continue to use my duly elected position to serve my constituents and country to the best of my ability till 2027 and beyond,” she said.