Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) has dismissed speculations that her invitation to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and other lawmakers for the inauguration of her constituency projects was a political reconciliation move, insisting it was merely an act of courtesy.
During Thursday’s plenary, the Senate President read Natasha’s letter inviting colleagues to Kogi State for the commissioning of several constituency projects, marking her second anniversary in the Senate.
The letter read partly:
“In marking my second anniversary as a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I wish to invite fellow distinguished senators to join me for the project inauguration in Kogi State.”
However, the senator said she was surprised by what she described as “unnecessary interpretations” of her gesture.
Taking to her social media page, Akpoti-Uduaghan wrote:
“Announcement by protocol don turn to ‘Olive Branch, Reconciliation’. If I didn’t invite you all to ‘see what the Lord has done in my life’, you’d say I’m ignoring the institution. Make una no kuku come.”
She explained that writing to the Senate through the presiding officer for an announcement was standard legislative practice.
“As is customary for such announcements, I wrote to the Senate for the Senate President to read it on the floor. I didn’t want it to seem like I was celebrating in isolation. I’m a progressive person,” she added.
Reflecting on her time in the Senate, Akpoti-Uduaghan recounted challenges she faced, including her six-month suspension from legislative duties, which she described as “illegal.”
“Some months ago, there was a plan to declare my seat vacant, but God saved me. Today, we are celebrating our second year in office with the inauguration of multiple projects,” she said.
The senator listed the projects to be commissioned — including boreholes, streetlights, transformers, police quarters, new schools, and markets — across the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
According to her, the events will culminate in a mega empowerment programme on November 2, where over 2,000 beneficiaries will receive items such as electric vehicles, freezers, gas cookers, sewing machines, fishery ponds, and farming tools.
“We’re starting the inaugurations today in Ganaja, Lokoja, with a water project, then proceeding to Adogo and Jakuta for streetlight projects before returning to Ihima,” she announced.
Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed gratitude to God and her constituents, saying despite the suspension setback, she worked “extra hard” to deliver democratic dividends.
“Though I lost six months, I ensured my people didn’t feel deprived. I’m grateful to God for the courage to continue serving,” she said.
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