Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central discusses the isolation she faced during her illegal suspension stating that colleagues though privately supportive feared political persecution for openly standing with her She also highlights the adverse effects on constituency projects .
The Isolation of Suspension A Senators Perspective
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central Senatorial District has shed light on the pervasive atmosphere of fear and political intimidation that prevented many of her colleagues in the Senate from publicly showing support during her period of suspension Speaking at the inauguration of a new market in Okene Kogi State the lawmaker described the reluctance of her fellow senators to openly associate with her as a consequence of the prevailing political climate .
According to the senator while she received numerous private phone calls and visits from colleagues expressing their solidarity the fear of political persecution and victimisation kept them from making their support public .
When a government official faces challenges isolation comes naturally she stated 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 couldnt show it Im not offended by that .
The Illegal Suspension and Institutional Fear
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has consistently described her suspension as illegal arguing that it was orchestrated to silence her voice particularly following her allegations of sexual harassment against the Senate President Godswill Akpabio and a separate controversy over a change in her seating arrangement The Senates ethics committee had recommended her six-month suspension citing unruly and disruptive behaviour and alleged failure to appear before the committee though civil society groups and womens advocates strongly condemned the action as an attack on democracy and an attempt to silence women in leadership .
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The senators revelation underscores a significant institutional challenge within Nigerias legislative arm how fear of political reprisal can dictate the behaviour of elected officials even when they internally disagree with punitive measures taken against a colleague This environment of apprehension she suggests exposes a deeper malaise where political intimidation shapes conduct within government institutions overriding principles of natural justice and fairness .
Impact on Constituency Projects and Service Delivery
Beyond the personal and political toll Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan highlighted the tangible negative consequences of her suspension on her constituents She noted that the political interference and challenges during her time away from the Senate directly impacted the smooth running of constituency projects .
According to the lawmaker the timing of her illegal suspension coincided with the activation of the 2025 budget As a result contractors assigned to constituency projects in Kogi Central faced significant obstacles including delays in receiving award letters and commencing construction .
The 2025 budget only became active during the course of my illegal suspension she explained A number of contractors struggled to get their award letters because the projects were allocated to Kogi Central It wasnt easy getting these awards and commencing construction because of politics .
This development illustrates how internal political disputes and disciplinary actions can have a direct adverse effect on service delivery and the development aspirations of the people who are ultimately the ones who suffer when legislative business is politicised .
Commitment to Her Mandate and the Fight for Justice
Despite the challenges the senator has reaffirmed her commitment to her legislative duties Throughout the crisis and even while suspended she has been active on issues of national importance She sponsored a bill seeking to establish a National Centre for Autism and six zonal centres across Nigeria demonstrating an unwavering focus on her core mandate of people-centred representation .
Her resilience has been lauded by policy and advocacy groups like the Action Collective which commended her courageous representation despite the intimidation Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan remains steadfast viewing her unjust suspension not as a withdrawal of her legitimacy but as a momentary illegal setback in her mission to serve her constituents and country Her story continues to serve as a critical point of discussion for womens rights and accountability in Nigerian democracy .
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources concerning Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghans statements Readers should cross-check updates from official news outlets and parliamentary records for the latest information and verify details regarding the suspensions status and related political developments .