- Safiu Kehinde
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the National Assembly over its refusal to allow embattled Kogi lawmaker, Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, from resuming after the expiration of six months suspension imposed on her.
NPO Reported that the NASS had yesterday ruled out Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return, stressing that her suspension still remains in place pending the outcome of a Court of Appeal case instituted by her against the Senate.
Reacting in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP described the development as an attempt by the APC-controlled Senate and the Federal Government to suffocate opposition.
This, according Ologunagba, also confirmed the creeping totalitarianism in Nigeria under the APC government.
The PDP spokesperson also said that the reported action by the Clerk of the National Assembly was a calculated attempt to abridge the right of representation of the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District and deny them a voice at the highest law-making body in the country.
He noted that the attempt to use the National Assembly establishment against an elected Senator was in gross violation of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 (as amended) and the Standing Rules of the Senate.
According to him, this constitutes a clear danger to the democracy of the country and attempt to silent the opposition and attacks on the right of women.
Ologunagba called on the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio to come clean of the matter.
He said that the extreme persecution of six months suspension unjustly imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan, “contrary to the Rules of the Senate” was more than enough.
He expressed the PDP solidarity with the people of Kogi Central and all well-meaning Nigerians in condemning the unwarranted renewed plot against the lawmaker.
The PDP national publicity secretary called on the Clerk of the National Assembly to withdraw the said letter and play by the rules by being neutral as a bureaucrat.
He advised the Clark not to allow himself to be politically entangled and used as a tool to undermine democracy and the Rule of Law in the National Assembly and Nigeria.
He also burged Akpoti-Uduaghan to discountenance the reported letter by the Clerk of the National Assembly and get ready to resume at the Senate.
He further called on the Senate leadership to ensure that Akpoti-Uduaghan was allowed to resume her duties and perform her roles as an elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria unhindered.