The media strategist to Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has disputed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent return to the National Assembly, labelling it a calculated political stunt executed without any supporting court order.
Sir Kenny Okolugbo made the remark while fielding questions from journalists, challenging the legitimacy of the senator’s reinstatement and shedding light on a deepening political rift.
According to Okolugbo, neither the Senate President nor the Clerk of the National Assembly received any formal directive from the Federal High Court mandating Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recall, directly contradicting her assertions.
“There was no express order setting aside her suspension. The judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako did not direct the Senate to recall her.
“Even her own legal documents, particularly Ground 23 of her appeal, show that she was aware no such relief was granted,” Okolugbo asserted.
To underscore his point, Okolugbo quoted directly from Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s appeal in Akpoti-Uduaghan vs Clerk of the National Assembly & Ors: “The learned trial judge erred in law and abdicated her judicial duty, failing to expressly make a clear pronouncement SET ASIDE and/or NULLIFY same accordingly.”
This, he argued, unequivocally confirms that the trial court upheld certain aspects of the Senate’s disciplinary powers and did not nullify her suspension.
“Despite this,” Okolugbo continued, “she appeared at the National Assembly gates with supporters, cameras and noise, pretending she had a judicial mandate. That was false and misleading.”
He further criticised her approach, stating that a valid recall order would have followed established legislative procedures, including transmission to the Clerk, deliberation on the floor, and, if approved, enforcement by the Sergeant-at-Arms.
“Instead, she bypassed the process for optics. The Senate is not a reality TV set,” he quipped.
Dismissing claims of political motivation behind Akpabio’s actions, Okolugbo stressed that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension adhered to constitutional provisions and Senate rules.
“Section 60 of the Constitution and Rule 14(2) of the Senate Standing Orders empower the chamber to regulate its conduct.
“Senator Natasha was found in breach of Orders 6.1 and 6.2. Her suspension was not personal, it followed due process,” he clarified.
Okolugbo also lambasted the senator’s series of accusations, including allegations of sexual harassment, assassination plots, organ trafficking, and financial misconduct, describing them as “reckless, unfounded and inconsistent.”
He pointed out inconsistencies in her narrative, noting, “She first praised the Senate President after the alleged harassment incident, then suddenly turned around when she lost her committee seat.
“Her organ harvesting accusation involved a woman who died in 2022, years after Akpabio’s wife’s illness in 2016. It defies logic,” he added.
Addressing her claim of pending EFCC cases against Akpabio, Okolugbo unequivocally stated, “That’s false. There’s no such case. She throws outrageous accusations, hoping they’ll trend. It’s irresponsible and damages public trust.”
Despite the controversy, Okolugbo reassured that legislative work for her constituency continued during her suspension.
“The Federal Medical Centre, Ihima, was passed during this period and awaits presidential assent. Her Gold Reserve and Diaspora Banking bills are progressing.
“Her constituents were not abandoned,” he affirmed.
He revealed that the Senate resolution of March 6 had offered a clear path to her reinstatement: a public apology.
“Instead, she chose confrontation. Even the Brekete Family platform she visited advised her to apologise, but she refused,” he stated.
Okolugbo warned that such conduct could undermine genuine female participation in politics.
“Using gender as a shield for misconduct hurts the credibility of future complaints. With only four female senators, this is not the model we need,” he lamented.
He also criticised sections of the media for prioritising sensationalism over truth, stating, “Some journalists admitted they knew the truth but preferred drama.
“That’s unethical. Ground 23 exposed the deception. She lied about the court backing her return.”
Concluding, Okolugbo suggested that a simple apology could still resolve the matter. “If she retracts her claims and apologises, it ends. But if not, legal processes will follow. She has deceived the public long enough.”
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