Fear of Persecution Made Senators Silent During My Suspension, Natasha Claims

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central, has revealed that fear of political persecution kept many of her colleagues from openly showing support during her six-month suspension from the Senate.

Speaking on Sunday in Okene, Kogi State, at the inauguration of a new market, Natasha explained that while several senators reached out privately, they refrained from public solidarity due to concerns over potential political repercussions.

“When a government official faces challenges, isolation comes naturally,” she said.

“Even when people are sympathetic, they are afraid to associate with you openly for fear of being castigated or persecuted.

“Many senators stood by me quietly — they called, they visited — but in public, they couldn’t show it. I’m not offended by that.”

The senator described her suspension as illegal and said it highlighted the role of fear and political intimidation in shaping behaviour within government institutions. She also noted that the suspension disrupted projects in her constituency, as contractors faced delays and obstacles linked to political interference.

“The 2025 budget only became active during the course of my illegal suspension,” she said.

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“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.”

Despite these challenges, Natasha said she remained committed to serving her constituents and refused to let them bear the brunt of her ordeal.

Since returning to the Senate chamber on September 24, she has steadily resumed legislative duties. On October 18, she attended a legislative retreat organized by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.

On October 30, Natasha sponsored a bill to establish a National Centre for Autism and six zonal centres nationwide, aimed at promoting early diagnosis, research, education, and care for persons with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).