Developing Story: I Will Not Apologize – Senator
By PHC Telegraph
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central has vowed not to apologize to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking after her attempt this week to resume duty at the Senate failed, the Senator said she would not apologize for an offence that she did not commit.
“There is just no reason why these gates should not be open”, Natasha said as she painstakingly reviewed the situation, “I will not apologise for something I didn’t do.”
She revealed that her lawyers would again head to court to challenge what she described as a resolve by Senator Godswill Akpabio and the Senate to ignore an order of a presiding judge.
“I’m a law-abiding citizen. We’ll seek interpretation of the situation in court”, the lawmaker whose constituency has failed to enjoy representation since her suspension said.
Justice Binta Nyako had earlier waded into the matter and delivered judgement on Natasha’s ban from the Senate.
In her judgment, the judge described the suspension as “excessive” and faulted the provision of Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Rules, as well as Section 14 of the Legislative Houses, Powers & Privileges Act.
The Judge held that the provisions of the Senate Rules which provided the ground for the suspension of the Senator were rather overreaching.
Since lawmakers have a total of 181 days to sit in every legislative cycle, the Judge noted in here ruling, the six-month-long suspension handed to Akpoti-Uduaghan translated to pushing her away from her responsibilities to constituents in Kogi Central for about 180 days.
Strangely, the Court in its decision failed to issue a declarative order directing the Senate or its proxies to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan at once.
The embattled senator had arrived at the National Assembly with her supporters as well as activists, including fiery Aisha Yesufu.
Yesufu expressed frustration with the actions of the police, saying there was no reason for members of the force to obey orders that are retrogressive and anti-people.
What could have resulted in resumption day as Natasha and her supporters had hoped did not materialise, but they marched on foot from the first checkpoint to the main entrance of the National Assembly.
In the meantime, Akpoti-Uduaghan has declared that she would not relent in pushing for her return to the upper chamber, saying bowing to pressure or threats from any quarters is out of the question at this time.