We’ll stand by Natasha, Aisha Yesufu dares Senate

Popular activist, Aisha Yesufu, has declared to stand with suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, ahead of her planned return to the Senate on Tuesday.

Tribune Online reports that following a Federal High Court judgement on Natasha’s suspension, an appeal was filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio challenging the ruling.

Yesufu, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, said she would accompany the senator to the Senate, insisting the court’s decision allows her to return.

“I think Senator Natasha has every right to resume office, and by tomorrow she is not going to resume alone. There are people who are going to go with her, and I’ll be one of them.

“We’ll be with her and stand with her. And if the Senate decides they are going to kill us, let them kill us.”

She criticised what she sees as the political marginalisation of women in Nigeria.

“We are not even one-third. Out of 109 senators, we have only four women. Yet you go after them, you’re going after this particular lady who has done nothing other than discharge her duty the way it should be. Enough of us being treated in this country as if we are second-class citizens.”

Calling the Senate’s action unconstitutional, Yesufu accused the upper chamber of ignoring a valid court ruling.

“The suspension by the Senate is unconstitutional. It’s unlawful. It should never have happened in the first place especially coming from an institution supposed to uphold the constitution.

“The court didn’t stop Natasha from going in, so she has a right to resume office. The court has ruled that the whole suspension is unconstitutional. The Senate didn’t make Natasha a senator, her people did and there’s no way you can deprive them of their representation.”

She also raised concerns about the state of the judiciary.

“There was a ruling telling them to halt the suspension process, but they didn’t obey. The Senate is sending a message to Nigerians that it can act with impunity and disregard court rulings.

“The judiciary, which should be the last hope of the common man, is now a pawn in the hands of corrupt politicians. Even when a judgement is delivered, the judiciary now looks at the body language of those dictating what should be written.”

Meanwhile, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, had earlier while speaking from Ihima, Kogi State, on Saturday, reaffirmed her intention to return on 22 July.

“I have pretty much two months left before the six months expire. However, I’ve written to the Senate again, telling them that I’m resuming on the 22nd, which is Tuesday, by the special grace of God.”

“I will be there because the court did make a decision on that. They may argue that it’s not an order, but it is a decision.”

She noted that while she has continued engaging her constituents, the suspension has limited her ability to sponsor bills or join debates in the chamber.

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