Why Senate can't suspend Sen Natasha beyond 14 days---Former Delta Council Boss, Maku

A chieftain of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State and former Warri North Local Government Council Chairman, Chief Francis Maku has insisted that the Senate lacks the power to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan beyond 14 days, saying it violates the rights of the constituents.

Chief Maku, a two - time Trust Chairman of Abigborodo community, described the six months suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan as harsh and doesn't reflect the principles of fair hearing and freedom of speech as enshrined in the 1999 constitution which supersedes any other laws.

He, however, urged President Bola Tinubu to wade into to matter as a matter of urgency and save the National Assembly from public ridicule. 

He said: "The Senate is a respected public institution and must not be seen as a biased establishment where equal right of fairness is not given to a particular constituency thereby depriving the people of Kogi Central their rights of proportional representation in governance."

Wondering why the Senate didn't handle the issue with all sense of sincerity.

Reacting to the Senate Leader's statement, that Senator Natasha- Uduaghan's suspension was due to flagrant disobedience to the Senate's standing orders 2023 as amended, Chief Maku said freedom of speech is a fundamental right of all citizens adding that the Constitution of Nigeria reigns supreme in matters of public interest.

While calling in the Senate to rescind its decision and reinstate Senator Akpoti -Uduaghan, he said: "In Senator Ali Ndume v. Senate (2018), The Court of Appeal ruled that the Senate lacks the power to suspend a Senator beyond a reasonable period (often not exceeding 14 days), as it violates the rights of the constituents.

"The National Assembly has a responsibility to build the image of the nation at the International arena by accommodating all petitions and treating all Senators equally. The people of Kogi central cannot be left behind without a voice in the red Chamber in the desperation of few to achieve unrealistic conclusions." Chief maku stated.

×