Major Controversy is currently rocking the Senate over Natasha’s unfair suspension.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Nigerian Senate faces internal division over the recent six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), who chairs the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs.
The decision, led by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, has sparked controversy, with 13 senators refusing to sign the report that justified her suspension.
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Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension came after she protested the reassignment of her Senate seat by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on February 20, 2025.
The Ethics Committee cited her actions as a violation of Senate Standing Rules (2023, as amended), which prohibit conduct that brings the presiding officer and the Senate into public disrepute.
However, some lawmakers have questioned the speed at which the Ethics Committee pushed through her suspension.
Initially, the hearing was scheduled for March 11, 2025, but it was unexpectedly rescheduled to an earlier date, catching several ranking senators off guard.
The Ethics Committee has 32 members, but 13 senators refused to sign the final report that led to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
These senators include:
1. Samaila Kaila (PDP, Bauchi North)
2. Yaro Siyako (APC, Gombe South)
3. Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North)
4. Onyesoh Heacho (PDP, Rivers East)
5. Onawo Ogoshi (PDP, Nasarawa South)
6. Tony Nwoye (LP, Anambra North)
7. Aminu Iya Abbas (PDP, Adamawa Central)
8. Shuaib Salisu (APC, Ogun Central)
9. Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West)
10. Mustapha Khabeeb (APC, Jigawa South West)
11. Kelvin Chukwu (LP, Enugu East)
12. Sunday Katung (PDP, Kaduna South)
13. Ireti Kingibe (LP, FCT)
A Senate source revealed that many ranking senators were absent from the committee meeting when the decision was made.
Their absence was partly due to their participation in a Senate Finance Committee retreat on tax reform bills, led by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East).
Some senators argue that the committee should have waited until March 11, as originally planned, instead of rushing the decision.
The suspension was also controversial because a court injunction had halted the investigation, meaning Akpoti-Uduaghan should have been allowed to resolve the legal issues before any Senate action.
A ranking senator who declined to sign the report expressed concern, saying:
“Why the rush? Why didn’t the committee wait until Monday? The way it was handled raises serious questions about fairness.”
Another senator added: “Most ranking senators did not participate in the process because they knew where the committee was heading.”
Despite opposition from several lawmakers, the Senate upheld the six-month suspension, rejecting a plea from Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) to reduce it to three months.
As part of the suspension:
Akpoti-Uduaghan is barred from all Senate activities.
Her office has been sealed.
She is required to surrender all Senate property to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana.
Her suspension could be reconsidered if she submits a written apology.
Following the suspension, a delegation of opposition senators, led by Seriake Dickson, visited Akpoti-Uduaghan and her husband to offer support and encouragement.
One of the senators in the delegation stated:“Senators, like all humans, have their low and high moments. It is a tradition to support each other during these times.”
The controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension has sparked political tension, with observers wondering whether:
1. The Senate will reconsider its decision.
2. Akpoti-Uduaghan will take legal action to challenge the suspension.
