Senator Natasha: Fear of persecution silenced support during Senate suspension

Senator Natasha: Fear of persecution silenced support during Senate suspension

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP–Kogi Central) has opened up about the political isolation she faced during her six-month suspension from the Senate, revealing that many fellow lawmakers were afraid to publicly support her due to fear of persecution.

Speaking on Sunday at the inauguration of a new market in Okene, Kogi State, the senator described her suspension as “illegal” and said it exposed the deep-rooted culture of fear and political intimidation within Nigeria’s legislative institutions.

“When a government official faces challenges, isolation comes naturally,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said. “Even when people are sympathetic, they are afraid to associate with you openly for fear of being castigated or persecuted. Many senators stood by me quietly — they called, they visited — but in public, they couldn’t show it. I’m not offended by that.”

The senator also disclosed that her suspension had a ripple effect on development efforts in Kogi Central, particularly in the execution of constituency projects. She said contractors faced delays in receiving award letters due to political interference, despite the activation of the 2025 budget during her absence.

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“A number of contractors struggled to get their award letters because the projects were allocated to Kogi Central. It wasn’t easy getting these awards and commencing construction because of politics,” she noted.

Despite the setbacks, Akpoti-Uduaghan affirmed her commitment to serving her constituents and shielding them from the fallout of her ordeal. Since her return to the Senate on September 24, she has resumed legislative duties with renewed focus.

On October 18, she participated in a legislative retreat hosted by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development. Less than two weeks later, on October 30, she sponsored a bill to establish a National Centre for Autism and six zonal centres across Nigeria. The initiative aims to promote early diagnosis, research, education, and care for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

The senator’s remarks have sparked renewed conversation about political accountability, legislative independence, and the need for institutional reforms to protect elected officials from undue influence and intimidation.

Senator Natasha: Fear of persecution silenced support during Senate suspension