The senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Seriake Dickson has reacted to the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate.
Senator Dickson who is a member of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, Privileges and Public Petitions said in a statement that his absence at the committee’s hearing where Natasha’s suspension was discussed and approved was due to his engagement at a three-day workshop on the tax reform bills.
He explained further that while a date for the hearing had already been fixed by the chairman of the committee and agreed by other members, the change in date was not communicated to him.
“The public may recall that, for the past three days, I was attending the three day workshop on the tax reform bills which started on Wednesday 5th of March and ended on Friday 7th of March. This is why I was not available to sit as a member of the Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect of the issues concerning our colleague, Distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, having been assured by the committee chairman that the hearing would hold on Wednesday the 11th of March for which notices had already been issued. I was not notified of the emergency sitting,” Senator Dickson said.
He added: “As a result of the strong views I had already canvassed, my colleagues and I were working on the bills and as such was unable to join the plenary sitting which considered the report of the ethics committee that deliberated and approved the suspension.”
Senator Dickson said efforts were now being made to resolve the issue between the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“After concluding the retreat, I led a delegation of some senators of opposition parties on a visit to our colleague Senator Natasha and met with her and her husband at their home.
“Senators as humans, have their low and high moments and it is a tradition for Senators to support each other during these moments.
“We offered words of encouragement, prayers and advice on a quick resolution of the issues surrounding her suspension. Having heard more from her and her husband for the first time, I will discuss with other colleagues on how to intervene and engage with the leadership of the senate to resolve the issues as soon as possible,” he said.
