Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has clarified why she invited Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other senators to the inauguration of her constituency projects marking her second year in office, amid speculation about a tense relationship with Senate leadership.
She described the invitation as a customary and procedural practice, noting that such notifications are standard protocol for events involving the National Assembly.
During Thursday’s plenary session, Senate President Akpabio read out Akpoti-Uduaghan’s letter, which formally invited senators to Kogi State for the project inauguration.
The letter stated:
“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 inauguration of projects in Kogi State.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan explained:
“As is customary for announcements of this nature, I submitted the invitation through the presiding officer for the Senate President to read on the floor. I didn’t want it to appear as if I were celebrating in isolation. I am committed to progress and, even with ongoing court matters, I continue to fulfill my duties diligently, following all proper procedures. That notification was part of the process.”
Reflecting on her tenure, she added that six months of her service were lost due to what she described as an “illegal suspension.”
“Some months ago, there was an attempt to declare my seat vacant, but God intervened. Today, we are celebrating two years in office with the inauguration of multiple projects,” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan outlined the projects, which include water facilities, streetlights, transformers, police quarters, new primary and secondary schools, and two new markets across Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The senator also announced that the inauguration events would culminate in a mega empowerment program on November 2, during which around 2,000 beneficiaries will receive items such as electric vehicles, deep freezers, gas cookers, sewing machines, shoemaking kits, fishery ponds, and farming tools.
She added:
“We are starting the inaugurations today in Ganaja, Lokoja, with a water project, then moving to Adogo and Jakuta for streetlight projects before concluding in Ihima.”
Expressing gratitude to God and her constituents, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she remains committed to delivering quality representation:
“Even though I lost six months of my tenure, I ensured my constituents did not miss out on the benefits of representation. I worked extra hard to bring the dividends of democracy to them, and I thank God for the courage to continue serving.”
