The relatives of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Ochiga-Ihima community in Kogi State have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing conflict between Akpabio and Natasha in the Senate. They also appealed to Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo to take action regarding the situation.
In addition to the President, they called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Department of State Security (DSS), and other security agencies to reinstate Natasha’s security detail to ensure her safety and protect her from the schemes of troublemakers and adversaries.
In a statement issued by Alh Abdul-Aziz Sani, secretary of the Ochiga-Ihima Descendants Union, they requested the establishment of an independent investigative body to look into the dispute between the two senators.
They expressed concerns that the Senate Ethics Committee is no longer credible enough to handle the case fairly, citing that “the odds are heavily stacked against Natasha.” The kinsmen demanded the immediate and unconditional lifting of Natasha’s six-month suspension, arguing that pressuring her to apologize to Akpabio or the Assembly in exchange for the suspension’s removal is not just.
They emphasized the need for the Assembly to reflect on its actions to safeguard Natasha’s reputation both nationally and internationally. They asserted that her objection to being moved to another seat without prior notice should not result in a severe penalty that deprives the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District of their rightful representation in the National Assembly.
