AfriqueCAN
EMBATTLED Nigerian lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has been given a heads up ahead of a potential dramatic return to the country’s upper chambers.
Nigeria’s main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party – PDP, in what appears to be a solidarity backing, Tuesday urged Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to prepare to resume her duties in the Senate. The PDP move is contrary to the pronouncement by the Senate that the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, cannot go back to office as long as her case is in court.
The PDP however, in a statement condemned the attempt by the Clerk of the National Assembly to bar Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming her role following the six-month suspension imposed on her by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The party alleged in the statement that the action is a calculated attempt, orchestrated by the Senator Akpabio-led All Progressives Congress – APC Senate leadership.
The PDP further claimed in the statement that the APC Senate leadership’s goal is to abridge the right of representation of the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District and deny them a voice at the nation’s highest law-making body.
“The PDP calls on the international community, democracy institutions, right advocacy groups and other democracy development partners to rise up in condemnation of this renewed attack on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan,’’ part of the statement signed by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba stated.
“The PDP demands that the Senate leadership ensures that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is allowed to resume her duties and perform her roles as an elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria unhindered,” the statement added.