Activist Aisha Yesufu has vowed to accompany Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the National Assembly on Tuesday (today), declaring her support for the embattled Kogi Central lawmaker who has insisted on resuming her legislative duties despite opposition from the Senate.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s insistence follows a July ruling by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which declared her suspension unconstitutional and called for her reinstatement.
However, the Senate President’s legal team has appealed the judgement, arguing it interferes with legislative processes and falls outside the court’s jurisdiction.
Appearing on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Yesufu condemned the Senate’s stance, warning against continued disregard for judicial decisions.
“I think Senator Natasha has every right to resume office, and by tomorrow, she is not going to resume alone.
“There are people who are going to go with her, and I’ll be one of them,” she said.
“We’ll be with her and stand with her. And if the Senate decides they are going to kill us, let them kill us.”
The activist also decried what she described as systemic discrimination against women in Nigerian politics.
“We are not even one-third. Out of 109 senators, we have only four women.
“Yet you go after them, you’re going after this particular lady who has done nothing other than discharge her duty the way it should be.
“Enough of us being treated in this country as if we are second-class citizens,” she said.
Yesufu described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension as unconstitutional and accused the Senate of acting with impunity.
“The suspension by the Senate is unconstitutional. It’s unlawful.
“It should never have happened in the first place, especially coming from an institution supposed to uphold the constitution.
“The court didn’t stop Natasha from going in, so she has a right to resume office. The court has ruled that the whole suspension is unconstitutional.
“The Senate didn’t make Natasha a senator, her people did, and there’s no way you can deprive them of their representation.”
She also faulted the judiciary for what she sees as increasing submission to political influence.
“There was a ruling telling them to halt the suspension process, but they didn’t obey.
“The Senate is sending a message to Nigerians that it can act with impunity and disregard court rulings.
“The judiciary, which should be the last hope of the common man, is now a pawn in the hands of corrupt politicians.
“Even when a judgement is delivered, the judiciary now looks at the body language of those dictating what should be written,” Yesufu said.
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