Rebellion In The Red Chamber: See The 12 Senators Who Said NO To Natasha’s Suspension!

Tensions remain high in the Senate following the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions. Many lawmakers have raised concerns about the rushed process that led to her six-month suspension.

The committee had originally scheduled a hearing for March 11, 2025, to allow for a comprehensive review, but the process was unexpectedly expedited. Out of the 32-member committee, 13 senators refused to sign the report, questioning the fairness of the proceedings.

Senators Who Did Not Sign the Report:

• Samaila Kaila (PDP, Bauchi North)
• Yaro Siyako (APC, Gombe South)
• Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North)
• Onyesoh Heacho (PDP, Rivers East)
• Onawo Ogoshi (PDP, Nasarawa South)
• Tony Nwoye (LP, Anambra North)
• Aminu Iya Abbas (PDP, Adamawa Central)
• Shuaib Salisu (APC, Ogun Central)
• Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West)
• Mustapha Khabeeb (APC, Jigawa South West)
• Kelvin Chukwu (LP, Enugu East)

Allegations of a Rushed Process

A Senate insider alleged that the fast-tracking of the process was orchestrated by Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs.

“The rush was deliberate,” the source claimed. “Most ranking senators were attending a tax reform retreat organized by the Senate Committee on Finance, led by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East).”

Another senator expressed concerns over the hasty decision:
“It was a rushed assignment. Why the urgency? Why couldn’t the committee wait until Monday? Many ranking senators avoided participation because they knew where this was heading.”

Legal and Ethical Concerns

Some lawmakers argued that the Senate should have waited for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to resolve the court injunction halting the investigation before taking further action.

“This was a questionable decision,” a senator stated. “That’s why 13 senators refused to sign the report.”

Senate Upholds Six-Month Suspension

On March 6, 2025, the Senate officially suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, barring her from all legislative activities. The suspension followed her protest against Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s decision to reassign her seat on February 20, 2025.

Under the suspension terms:

• Her office was sealed.
• She was ordered to return all Senate property.
• She was prohibited from participating in Senate activities.

Despite an effort by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) to reduce the suspension to three months, the Senate upheld the committee’s six-month recommendation.

Opposition Senators Show Solidarity

Following the suspension, a delegation of opposition senators, led by Senator Seriake Dickson, visited Akpoti-Uduaghan and her husband to offer support.

“Senators, like everyone else, have their highs and lows,” a delegation member stated. “It is a tradition to stand by each other in tough times. We offered words of encouragement, prayers, and advice for a swift resolution.