Dare Babalola
Embattled Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagha has condemned the Nigerian Senate for denying her access to the National Assembly complex on Tuesday.
The lawmaker representing Kogi Central lambasted the 10th Assembly saying the leadership under Senate President Godswill Akpabio is the “worst in Nigeria’s history”.
Recall that despite attempts to gain entry, the senator and her team of supporters were denied access into the complex by security personnel.
The suspended lawmaker while addressing journalists at the entrance of the complex alleged that the Senate President is abusing the power attached to his office.
She told newsmen, “It’s 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, charged at a female senator who is unarmed with her people.
“The second thing is that the Senate, under the leadership of Akpabio, has decided to become lawbreakers by denying me entrance into the chamber to resume my duties.”
Furthermore, the Kogi-born lawmaker and lawyer argued that the decision of the court that ordered her resumption has not been legally challenged by the Senate.
She noted that the Appeal against the decision was personally from Akpabio.
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 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”.
