Suspended lawmaker Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday cautioned Senate President Godswill Akpabio against placing himself above the Nigerian Constitution.
The lawmaker representing Kogi Central also described the Senate leadership under the Senate President Godswill Akpabio as the “worst in Nigeria’s history”.
This comes as security personnel on Tuesday, July 22, barred the suspended Senator from entering the National Assembly complex.
Addressing journalists at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, Senator Natasha accused Akpabio of abusing his power by instituting an appeal against her following the decision of the Federal High Court.
“It is quite unfortunate that we got to the National Assembly complex today having duly notified the Senate about my resumption of legislative duty, and were denied access.
“As a matter of fact, I’m disappointed on two grounds. One is the number of armed policemen outside, who were all kitted with guns, charge at a female Senator who is unarmed with her people (Nigerians).
The second thing is that the Senate, under the leadership of Akpabio, has decided to become lawbreaker by denying me entrance into the chamber to resume my duties”, she stated.
She also clarified the Senate has not appeal the decision of the court that ordered her resumption, but Akpabio did.
She added , “Akpabio cannot be greater than the Constitution, and I want Nigerians to know that the office of the Senate President doesn’t give me my legislative duties.
“The fact that he has gone to appeal himself against the decision of Justice Binta Nyako doesn’t deprive me from of my rights as a Senator. I was duly elected by my people (Kogi Central).
“It’s a shame that we have so many good Senate Presidents in the past but the Senate under Akpabio is the worst assembly Nigeria has ever had”.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also described her initial suspension ab initio was fraudulent – the document was faulty and the process questionable “, she claimed.
Regarding the next steps, the Senator said she would consult with her legal team to pursue further action at the appellate level.
“I’m a law abiding citizen. I will meet with my legal team and proceed to appellate court for an interpretation of what just transpired”, she stated.
-9News Nigeria.
