Full List: ‘Dickson, 11 Other Senators That Failed To Sign Natasha’s Suspension Report’
There is still a sharp division in the Senate over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, with many questioning the rushed process that led to the six-month sanction.
the committee had initially scheduled the hearing for March 11, 2025, to allow for a thorough review, but the process was unexpectedly fast-tracked.
Of the 32-member committee, 13 senators did not sign the report, raising concerns about due process.
Among those who did not sign were:
- 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)
A source within the Senate told Leadership that the rushed process was deliberately orchestrated by Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs.
The source said: “The rush was orchestrated by Senator Adaramodu while most ranking senators were attending a retreat on tax reform bills organized by the Senate Committee on Finance, led by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East).”
The same source added, “It was a rushed assignment. Why the hurry? Why didn’t the committee wait until Monday? You can see that ranking senators did not participate because they knew where the committee was heading.”
Legal and Ethical Concerns
Some senators argued that the Senate should have waited for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to vacate the court injunction halting the investigation before proceeding.
“It was a rushed and questionable decision. That is why 13 senators refused to sign the report,” a senator stated.
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