ND-PYLF NEED PEACE AND HARMONY IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY UNDER THE SENATE PRESIDENT CHIEF GODSWILL OBOT AKPABIO.
The attention of the Niger Delta Progressive Youths’ Leadership Foundation (ND-PYLF) has been drawn to an event which took place in the Nigeria National Assembly where a heated exchange erupted in the Senate chamber when Senator Natasha, a senator, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District refused to vacate her seat following a directive from the senate President Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio.
The confrontation began when Akpabio ordered Natasha to move to a new seat as part of a revised seating arrangement. However, Natasha vehemently refused with intense argument.
Senator Natasha who stated that she didn’t speak out of order and only acted to protect her rights as a senator. She mentioned that when Akpabio was about to announce her suspension, she quickly invoked a Senate rule known as Order 10. She explained that this rule allows a senator to claim their right to fair treatment if they feel they are being unfairly targeted. She explained that instead of suspending a senator immediately, the proper process would be, to send the case to the Ethics and Privileges Committee, which acts like a panel to review the issue. Natasha disclosed that invoking this rule was the only way to avoid being suspended on the spot. She said that if she had not spoken up at that moment, she would have been suspended from the Senate without a fair hearing.
The Niger Delta Progressive Youth Leadership Foundation wish to state clearly that National Assembly is established under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “It is vested with powers to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the Federation with respect to matters in the exclusive legislative list.” the constitution provides several unique functions for the senate that form its ability to check and balance other element of the federal government of Nigeria.
We are using this medium to draw the attention of the senate President Akpabio that, he should not be influence by the Northern senators to suspend Senator Natasha Uduaghan. By right, as senate President and the leader of the Upper Chamber, you could have informed senator Natasha about the change of the seating arrangement before any plenary. Unexpected change of seating arrangement will trigger Senator Natasha reaction. Therefore, two wrong cannot make a right. Senator Natasha Uduaghan by marriage is a Niger Delta woman. Treating her unfairly in the public does not speak good to the Senate President who is from the same Niger Delta Region.
As an organisation speaking for the interest of all Niger Delta people, we appeal for peace and harmony between Senate President Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio and Senator Natasha Uduaghan.
We advise for in-house settlement for whatever dispute among them. Our respected Senate President should not fall into the hands of the enemy of Niger Delta Unity, Peace and Development to suspend Senator Natasha Uduaghan our Niger Delta wife.
Finally, we say let there be peace and harmony in the National Assembly. Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it. War is expensive but peace is priceless.
Chief Diplomat, Amb. Adam Ogomugo Marbo Engr. Boma Prosper Jack
National President/DG Secretary General