Thirteen senators refused to sign the report on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, citing concerns over due process, as reported by VANGUARD.
The Senate suspended her for six months on March 6, 2025, after she protested the reassignment of her seat by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, some senators believe the case was rushed.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, led by Senator Neda Imaseun, moved the hearing forward unexpectedly, despite many ranking senators attending a tax reform retreat.
A ranking senator revealed that the hearing was first set for March 11 but was rescheduled suddenly.
He questioned the urgency and pointed out that a court had ordered the investigation to stop.
He insisted that lawmakers must follow due process and explained that this was why thirteen senators refused to participate in the report.
“It was a rushed assignment. Why the hurry? Why didn’t the committee wait? The absence of ranking Senators from the process shows we knew where it was heading.”
“We are lawmakers, and we must follow due process. This was why thirteen of us refused to participate or sign the report,” he said.
The Senate accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of violating the Senate Standing Rules 2023, saying she brought the presiding officer and the chamber into public disrepute.
As a result, she is barred from legislative activities, her office is locked, and her salary and allowances are suspended.
Security details assigned to her are withdrawn, and she is prohibited from entering the National Assembly premises.
Initially, the committee recommended stopping salaries for her aides, but Senators Orji Uzor Kalu and Ned Nwoko opposed it.
Their motion ensured the aides continued receiving payments.
Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro pleaded for the suspension to be reduced to three months, but his request was rejected.
The suspension followed a heated argument in the Senate chamber after Akpoti-Uduaghan found her nameplate removed.
She demanded an explanation, leading to a tense confrontation during plenary.
The Senate has said it will reconsider her suspension if she submits a written apology.
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