Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Senate, has revealed that she never saw the committee report that led to the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Kingibe made the disclosure on Wednesday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, where she addressed questions surrounding the circumstances that culminated in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
According to the lawmaker, she was attending a tax reform retreat at the time the report was being considered and was therefore unable to review the document.
Kingibe explained that she had earlier attended a meeting of the Senate Committee on Petitions and Public Complaints alongside a number of lawmakers before leaving for the retreat, which she considered more relevant to the interests of her constituents.
“I never saw the report that led to Natasha’s suspension. I was at a retreat. I had earlier stated that I was there with three or four other senators who are members of the committee,” she said.
She noted that after signing the attendance register at the committee meeting, she departed for the tax reform retreat, believing that other members of the committee would handle the matter.
“We attended the Committee on Petitions and Public Complaints, signed the attendance register, and I later left for the tax reform retreat, which I considered more important at the time.
“It affects my constituents much more than disciplining a senator, and I figured that the other people who were not part of that committee would take care of it,” kingistated.
The senator further disclosed that she later expressed concerns to some of her colleagues over not having access to the report before decisions were taken.
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According to her, she specifically raised the issue with Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, expressing dissatisfaction over her inability to review the document.
“I even complained to other senators, specifically to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe. I complained to him very bitterly that I had not seen that report. I didn’t see it then. I have not seen it till now,” she added.
Kingibe’s comments add a fresh dimension to discussions surrounding the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, a development that generated significant public attention and debate within political circles.
The Kogi Central senator’s suspension followed deliberations within the Senate, although the issue has continued to attract reactions from lawmakers, political observers and members of the public.
Kingibe’s disclosure is likely to fuel further conversations about legislative procedures, committee processes and transparency in the handling of disciplinary matters within the National Assembly.
Neither the Senate leadership nor the relevant committee had immediately responded to the senator’s remarks as of the time of filing this report.