As suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan ( PDP Kogi Central) by the Senate on Thursday last week, continues to generate commentaries and debate in the polity, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has described most of the commentators as herbalists, quoting the Holy Books wrongly.
This is as he assured people of the Niger Delta Region , that the Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway, will be implemented to the fullest physically passing across the benefiting states from Lagos to Cross River states and also peace, restored in Rivers State soonest.
Granting audience to delegation of the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum which paid him a solidarity visit in Abuja on Friday night, Akpabio said the decision taken by the Senate on Senator Natasha’s suspension was unanimous and strictly in line with its standing orders and rules which are not known to many of the commentators.
“Many of the ignorant commentators faulting the decision of the Senate are like Herbalists, quoting the Bible or other Holy Books very wrongly because of lack of knowledge of which of the chapters or verses to be quoted.
“Just as one cannot interpret the Bible without studying it, one cannot make informed judgments about the Senate without knowledge of its processes.
“Senate is not about content creation by commentators where Nollywood are created out of serious people but a place meant for serious minded and nationalistic people guided by discipline and decorum as contained in its rules books which must be conformed with by any elected Senator.
“Those running the uninformed commentaries including those politicising Senator Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan’s suspension by the Senate from Adamawa, to Kwara down to South West, are not even asking themselves why there was no single dissenting voice against the action by the Senate from any of the serving Senators.
“When an entire Senate agrees without a single abstention, it indicates the weight of the matter. People should seek the facts before making public commentaries for personal gains.
“In the legislative chambers, discipline and decorum are key. Every Senator is given the Red Book (in the Senate) and the Green Book (in the House of Representatives) to guide them. Those unfamiliar with these rules should not make uninformed public statements.
“The Senate is committed to the Rule of Law, upholds it at all times and respects the separation of powers among the three arms of government.
“The reason why we don’t entertain petitions that are already before the courts, as doing so would interfere with judicial processes just as the judiciary too, will not issue an exparte order to stop the National Assembly from taking action on matters that are strictly internally within its jurisdictions,” he said.
On Niger Delta having practical feel of the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Road Project, Akpabio disclosed that as envisioned by President Bola Tinubu, every segments of the 700kilometres high way project, will be covered in due course.
“The Minister of Works has assured me that construction will soon commence on a key road section passing through the Niger Delta towards Odukpani and Calabar.
“Development anywhere benefits the entire country. A railway connecting the Niger Delta would reduce road accidents and kidnappings. I will take your concerns to the President and the Minister of Transportation to explore how this can be achieved.
“My self and other Senators from the South – South geo – political zone , will meet the warring parties in Rivers State soonest for lasting peace,” he said.
The leader of the group, Jonathan Lokpobiri, had earlier in his address , called on the Senate President and other critical stakeholders to wade into the political crisis in Rivers state without any further delay .
He said, “One of our major concerns is the escalating political crisis in Rivers State. What initially seemed like a misunderstanding within a political family now threatens to destabilise the entire state.
“We all recognise that Rivers State is the commercial and economic hub of the Niger Delta—our region’s equivalent of Lagos. If Rivers State is destabilized, the entire Niger Delta will suffer.
“Your Excellency, as a leader of our region, we urge you to intervene. Silence is no longer an option. We appeal to you to use your esteemed office to engage the President of our nation.
“He is a father to all, both by experience and by the position he holds. The looming crisis must be addressed before it spirals out of control, threatening the delicate balance of peace in our region.
“We are not here to issue threats, but we must emphasize that if this situation is not resolved within the current manageable threshold, it could escalate beyond control”.