Kinsmen of the embattled Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in Ochiga-Ihima community, Kogi state, on Monday demanded that the investigation of the issue between her and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, should be conducted by an independent investigative body or a court of law.
The people in a statement signed by the secretary of Ochiga-Ihima Descendants Union, Alhaji Abdul- Aziz Sani, also said that an independent investigative body or court will best guarantee fair hearing and credible adjudication.
The lawmaker’s kinsmen said that the Senate Ethics Committee would not be able to objectively handle the matter, adding that, “the odds are heavily stacked against Natasha”.
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Akpoti-Uduaghan’s kinsmen, while calling for unconditional lifting of the six months suspension placed on her by the Senate, said that:” To cajole Natasha to apologise to Akpabio or the Assembly in exchange for lifting her six months suspension is not justice. We expect the Assembly to introspect, look inward in order to protect her collective public/international image.
“The six months suspension should be lifted without precondition. Natasha’s offence of objecting to relocating her to another seat without her prior knowledge should not attract a “capital punishment” that deny the good people of Kogi Central Senatorial District their due representation in the National Assembly”, the statement said.
The people, who assured Natasha of their support in her challenges, however, called on President Bola Tinubu and Kogi state governor, Ahmed Ododo to intervene in Natasha/Akpabio ‘s imbroglio.
They also called on the Inspector General of Police, the Department of State Security (DSS) and other security agencies to restore Natasha’s security cover without delay, “to ensure her safety and unnecessary exposure to antics of mischief makers and detractors”.
Passing a vote of confidence on Natasha, the people said: “We repose absolute confidence and trust in Distinguished Senator Natasha to do all that’s humanly possible at all times in all situations. She’s our daughter of destiny. Ochiga-Ihima are reputed for high sense of discipline, public service and philanthropy.
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