Upperhill News

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has vowed to drag the leadership of the Senate before the appellate court after she was barred from gaining access to the National Assembly complex on Tuesday.

A visibly angry Akpoti-Uduaghan told journalists that she would consult her legal team immediately to kick-start the process, describing the blockade as a violation of the recent ruling which called for her reinstatement.

The decision came after she was denied entry to the National Assembly, despite a court order that faulted her prolonged suspension.

She also questioned the basis for her suspension in the first place, noting that, “Even the suspension ab initio was fraudulent— it was faulty.”

“Going forward, I will have a meeting with my legal team so they can proceed to the appellate court to seek interpretation of what just happened. I am a law-abiding citizen.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan also condemned the Senate’s actions, calling it an act of contempt of court by the Senate under its President, Godswill Akpabio.

“Akpabio cannot be greater than the Nigerian Constitution. I want Nigerians to know that the Office of the Senate President doesn’t give me legitimacy as a senator.

“The fact that he has gone on appeal does not invalidate the decision of Justice Binta Nyako, and that does not stop me from being a senator.

“I got my legitimacy as a senator from the people of Kogi, who voted me into office as senator.

“That I have been denied entrance to the National Assembly is a statement being made. It’s on record that the National Assembly under Akpabio has decided to be in contempt of a court decision, and it’s quite ironic that they are lawmakers. That poses the question: how far is our democracy in this day and age?” the embattled senator said.

The lawmaker had earlier stormed the National Assembly as her supporters converged on the entrance to await her arrival.

There was also an unusual security build-up at the gate of the complex with stern-looking operatives searching cars and restricting visitors to the car park outside the parliament.

No fewer than five police patrol vehicles were stationed at strategic areas at the entrance to the NASS complex.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who later arrived in company of social activist and co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, Aisha Yesufu, was denied access to the parliament by the security operatives.

Yesufu, during the confrontation with security men, condemned the action, just as she described it as unconstitutional actions of the police.

“One day you will be on the streets, as a retired person, begging the same people you oppressed to protest on your behalf.”

“At this age, is this what you want to be doing? Is this the Nigeria you want for your children? You’re destroying the future of your own children,” she declared.

The activist also accused the police of lacking the courage to disclose who ordered them to block access to the complex.

“We respect the law, but that does not mean we are cowards. This is the National Assembly—it belongs to all Nigerians. You are blocking people and can’t even say who sent you. Are you proud of that?”

She further slammed the police as “a shameless willing tool of oppression,” referencing a recent protest in support of police welfare that was ironically dispersed by police officers themselves.