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…As Opposition Lawmakers Visit Suspended
BY ABU-SATAR HAMED
FCT, ABUJA, NIGERIA – Senator Seriake Dickson has stated that he was unaware of the emergency sitting of the Senate Ethics and Disciplinary Committee, as he was attending a three-day workshop on the Tax Reform Bill from Wednesday, March 5, 2025, to the evening of Friday, March 7, 2025.
On Friday, March 7, 2025, Senator Dickson led a delegation of opposition lawmakers to visit their suspended colleague, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, at her residence in Abuja.
During the visit, Senator Dickson clarified that he was not present as a member of the Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, Privileges, and Public Petitions when the issues concerning Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension were deliberated.
He added that he was not notified about the emergency sitting of the committee.
Senator Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West, disclosed that he had been assured by the Committee Chairman that the hearing would take place on Wednesday, March 11, 2025, for which official notices had already been issued.
However, due to his engagement with the Tax Reform Bills, Senator Dickson and his colleagues were occupied with their legislative duties and were unable to attend the plenary session where the ethics committee’s report was considered and approved, leading to the suspension.
During their visit, the opposition lawmakers offered words of encouragement, prayers, and advice to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and her husband after hearing from them for the first time.
Senator Dickson emphasized that discussions would continue among lawmakers to explore ways to intervene and engage with the Senate leadership to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.
It will be recalled that on March 6, 2025, the Senate suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months and withdrew her allowances.
