Fear of Persecution Made Senators Silent During My Suspension — Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has revealed that fear of political persecution prevented many of her colleagues from publicly supporting her during her six-month suspension from the Senate.

Speaking in Okene, Kogi State, on Sunday at the inauguration of a new market, Akpoti-Uduaghan said that while some senators reached out privately to express solidarity, they avoided doing so openly due to fear of being targeted politically.

“When a government official faces challenges, isolation comes naturally. Even when people are sympathetic, they are afraid to associate with you openly for fear of being castigated or persecuted,” she said.
“Many senators stood by me quietly — they called, they visited — but in public, they couldn’t show it. I’m not offended by that.”

Describing her suspension as illegal, the senator said it exposed how fear and political intimidation influence conduct within public institutions. She added that her absence disrupted several constituency projects, as contractors faced delays and political interference.

“The 2025 budget only became active during the course of my illegal suspension,” she noted. “A number of contractors struggled to get their award letters because the projects were allocated to Kogi Central. It wasn’t easy getting these awards and commencing construction because of politics.”

Since her reinstatement on September 24, Akpoti-Uduaghan has resumed active legislative duties. On October 18, she participated in a legislative retreat organized by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, and on October 30, she sponsored a bill seeking to establish a National Centre for Autism and six zonal centres to support early diagnosis, research, and care for persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

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