NATASHA CLARIFIES SENATE INVITATION, SAYS IT WAS PROCEDURAL NOT POLITICAL

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) has clarified that her recent invitation to fellow lawmakers — including Senate President Godswill Akpabio — to attend project inaugurations in her senatorial district was strictly procedural and not a political overture.

During Thursday’s plenary, the Senate President read a letter from Akpoti-Uduaghan inviting her colleagues to attend events marking her second anniversary in office. The letter, addressed to the Senate leadership, formally invited all senators to Kogi State for the commissioning of constituency projects.

“In marking my second anniversary as a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I wish to invite fellow distinguished senators to join me for the project inauguration in Kogi State,” the letter read in part.

However, following public reactions and political interpretations of the move, Akpoti-Uduaghan took to social media to clarify that her correspondence was not personal or politically motivated.

“Announcement by protocol don turn to ‘Olive Branch, Reconciliation’. If I didn’t invite you all to ‘see what the Lord has done in my life,’ you’d say I’m ignoring the institution. Make una no kuku come,” she wrote.

The lawmaker further explained that her letter followed official parliamentary procedure, as such announcements must be made through the presiding officer.

“As is customary for announcements of such nature, I wrote to the Senate through the presiding officer for the Senate President to read on the floor. I didn’t want it to seem like I was celebrating in isolation. I’m a progressive person. That notification was part of the process,” she said.

Reflecting on her time in the Senate, Akpoti-Uduaghan noted that she lost six months of legislative work due to what she described as an “illegal suspension,” but insisted that her constituents did not suffer neglect during the period.

Despite the setback, she said she has continued to deliver impactful projects across the Kogi Central Senatorial District, which she plans to inaugurate as part of her second anniversary celebrations.

According to her, the projects include boreholes, streetlights, transformers, police quarters, new primary and secondary schools, and two new markets. The series of inaugurations will culminate in a “mega empowerment programme” on November 2, where about 2,000 beneficiaries are expected to receive items such as electric vehicles, deep freezers, gas cookers, sewing machines, shoemaking kits, fish ponds, and farming tools.

“Today, we are celebrating our second year in office with the inauguration of multiple projects,” she stated.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s clarification appears aimed at dispelling speculation that her invitation was an attempt to reconcile or seek favour from the Senate leadership. Her explanation also underscores her adherence to parliamentary protocol and commitment to inclusive governance.

Senators from across the country are expected to attend the Kogi events, which will showcase projects executed during her two years in office.