The founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Atedo Peterside, has strongly criticised the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, describing the decision as illegal and an insult to her constituents.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Peterside expressed concerns over the Senate’s actions, asserting that its leadership was fully aware that suspending Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months exceeded its legal authority but proceeded regardless.
“The most disturbing aspect of the Nigeria Senate hullabaloo around @NatashaAkpoti is that the Senate Leadership must be aware that her suspension for 6 months is ultra vires and also disrespectful to her constituents in Kogi State, but they don’t care,” he wrote.
On 6 March, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months following sexual harassment allegations she made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The suspension was announced during plenary last Thursday after the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions recommended punitive action against her.
As part of the suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s salary and security details have been withdrawn. She is also barred from entering the National Assembly premises, with her office locked and her legislative aides denied their salaries for the duration of the suspension. The Senate further ruled out any reconsideration of her suspension before the six-month term elapses, unless she tenders a formal apology.
Her suspension follows a heated confrontation in the Senate over the reassignment of her seat by Akpabio. Upon arriving at a plenary session, she discovered that her nameplate had been removed and her seat reassigned, a move she argued was an attempt to silence her.
