The Middle-Belt Vanguard has condemned the treatment of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the representative for Kogi Central, by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The president of the group, Godwin Meliga, criticised Akpabio for publicly humiliating the senator, citing a previous incident where he made disparaging remarks about her speaking without recognition.
Meliga emphasised that Akpabio’s behavior was not an isolated event.
On February 20, 2025, Akpabio reallocated Senate seats, but failed to consult or notify the affected senators, including Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
He pointed out that while the senate president has the authority to assign seats, fairness and due process dictate that senators should be informed beforehand.
Senator Natasha was unfairly silenced when she tried to address the issue, with her concerns dismissed on the grounds that she was not seated in her assigned spot.
This, Meliga argued, was an example of a double standard.
Senator Akpabio himself had previously raised similar concerns during Bukola Saraki’s tenure as senate president and was allowed to speak even from an unassigned seat.
However, the same privilege was not extended to Senator Natasha, which Meliga described as a clear case of discrimination.
The Middle-Belt Vanguard leader urged President Bola Tinubu, fellow senators, and Nigerians to stand in solidarity with Senator Natasha and ensure she receives the respect and fairness she is entitled to as an elected representative.
He called on the senate to be a platform for integrity, justice, and fairness, not one of intimidation and humiliation.
Meliga reassured Senator Natasha to remain resilient in the face of adversity, asserting that her service to the people of Kogi Central should not be undermined.
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