The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has revealed that fear of political persecution prevented many of her colleagues in the Senate from openly identifying with her during her suspension, even though several privately reached out in solidarity.
She said the ordeal left her isolated and also took a toll on contractors handling constituency projects in her district, who faced delays and obstacles due to political interference.
Speaking at the commissioning of a new market in Okene, Akpoti-Uduaghan described her suspension as illegal, adding that it exposed the extent to which fear and political intimidation influence conduct within the corridors of power.
“When a government official faces challenges, isolation comes naturally,” she said.
The lawmaker added, “Even when people are sympathetic, they are afraid to associate with you openly for fear of being castigated or persecuted. Many senators stood by me quietly — they called, they visited — but in public, they couldn’t show it. I’m not offended by that.”
The senator explained that the situation not only tested her resilience but also disrupted the implementation of projects in her constituency, as contractors struggled to obtain their award letters.
“The 2025 budget only became active during the course of my illegal suspension,” she noted.
“A number of contractors struggled to get their award letters because the projects were allocated to Kogi Central. It wasn’t easy getting these awards and commencing construction because of politics,” the legislator stated.
Despite the setbacks, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she refused to allow her people to share in her ordeal.
