Senators Shaken Over Natasha’s Suspension, Ponder Options In Closed-Door Session

Rattled by the backlash following the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senate was on Wednesday afternoon locked in a closed-door session on how to wriggle out of one of the most damaging scars on the lawmaking body.

GWG.ng gathered that lawmakers were canvassing diverse opinions on how to resolve the issue with some suggesting the constitution of an ad-hoc committee to find a way out.

Among those going the way of peace, GWG.ng gathered were Senators Danjuma Goje and Abdul Ningi, two of the most experienced legislators who called for a soft-landing to repair the image of the institution.

They were, however, seriously opposed by a popular senator with labour background who said that the Senate should not appear to be weak in seeking a soft landing. According to the former labour leader, this is a time for the Senate to show strength in standing by its resolution suspending Akpoti-Uduaghan.

His assertion was, however, seriously countered by Senator Serikae Dickson, PDP, Bayelsa who said that the Senate was itself wrong to have taken the decision to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Dickson who was not present when the decision was taken last Thursday, GWG.ng gathered, said that the suspension should be immediately rescinded adding that he would not have supported it were he present on Thursday. He said that suspending her meant suspending the legislative interest of her constituency.

GWG.ng reports that following the suspension that Dickson had last weekend led a delegation of lawmakers to show solidarity with the lawmaker.  

GWG.ng gathered that irrespective of the positions by the lawmakers, the senators were visibly shaken by the outrage that has trailed the decision to suspend their colleague for six months.

That outrage has been visible both in Nigerian news media and also in the international community following the petition by Akpoti-Uduaghan to the International Parliamentary Union, IPU.

The closed-door session is still in progress as at time of filing this report.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG