Former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson led a delegation of opposition senators to support Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended from the Senate on Thursday.
Dickson stated that his involvement in tax reform bills prevented him from attending Senate proceedings on the day of Natasha’s suspension.
Dickson said as humans, senators have their low and high moments, “and it is a tradition for senators to support each other during these moments.”
“The public may recall that, for the past three days, I was attending the three-day workshop on the Tax Reform Bills, which started on Wednesday, 5th of March, and ended this evening, March 7.
“This is why I was not available yesterday to sit as a member of the Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, Privileges, and Public Petitions in respect of the issues concerning our colleague Distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan’s suspension, having been assured by the Committee Chairman that the hearing would hold on Wednesday the 11th of March, for which notices had already been issued. I was not notified of the emergency seating yesterday.
“This evening, after concluding the retreat, I led a delegation of some senators of opposition parties on a visit to our colleague Senator Natasha and met with her and her husband at their home.
“We offered words of encouragement, prayers, and advice on a quick resolution of the issues surrounding her suspension,” Dickson said.
“Having heard more from her and her husband for the first time, I will discuss with other colleagues how to intervene and engage with the leadership of the senate to resolve the issues as soon as possible,” he added.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months on Thursday after refusing to take up her new seat in the higher legislative house.
The debate turned into accusations of sexual harassment by the Kogi senator against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Her suspension has provoked extensive debate and condemnation, notably among women’s rights and civil society organizations.
The People’s Democratic Party has condemned Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, calling it a major cover-up attempt by Akpabio.
