Abuja, Nigeria – A delegation of opposition party senators paid a visit to suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, at her residence on Friday, according to a report by Vanguard. The visit, led by Senator Seriake Dickson, former governor of Bayelsa State and a member of the Senate’s Ethics and Privileges Committee, came just a day after Akpoti-Uduaghan was handed a six-month suspension by the Senate.
Senator Dickson, who also serves on the committee that recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, shared details of the visit on his social media pages. He explained that his absence from the Senate proceedings on the day of the suspension was due to his involvement in a workshop on tax reform bills, which took place from Wednesday, March 5th, to Friday, March 7th.
“The public may recall that, for the past three days, I was attending the three-day workshop on the Tax Reform Bills, which started on Wednesday, March 5th, and ended this evening, Friday, March 7th,” Dickson stated. “This is why I was not available yesterday to sit as a member of the Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, Privileges, and Public Petitions in respect of the issues concerning our colleague, Distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension. I had been assured by the Committee Chairman that the hearing would hold on Wednesday, March 11th, for which notices had already been issued. I was not notified of the emergency seating yesterday.”
Dickson further revealed that after concluding the workshop, he led a delegation of opposition senators to visit Akpoti-Uduaghan and her husband at their home. He emphasized the importance of solidarity among senators during challenging times, stating, “As humans, senators have their low and high moments, and it is a tradition for senators to support each other during these moments.”
During the visit, the delegation offered advice on how to navigate the issues surrounding her suspension and expressed their support for her. The gesture was seen as a move to foster unity and address the growing tensions within the Senate.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension stems from her refusal to accept her newly assigned seat in the Senate chamber, a decision that escalated into a broader conflict. The situation worsened when she accused Senate President God’swill Akpabio of sexual harassment, a claim that has sparked widespread debate and drawn criticism from women’s rights groups and civil society organizations.
The allegations and subsequent suspension have highlighted the deep divisions within the Senate and raised questions about the handling of such sensitive matters. Many have called for a more transparent and fair process to address grievances and ensure accountability.
As the six-month suspension takes effect, stakeholders are closely watching how the Senate navigates this controversy. The visit by opposition senators to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s home underscores the need for dialogue and reconciliation within the legislative body.
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