Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North) has urged the Senate to reconsider withholding the salaries of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s (Kogi Central) aides during her six-month suspension.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended over allegations of misconduct and non-compliance with the chamber’s seating arrangements. As part of the suspension, her salaries, allowances, and security aides were withdrawn, and her office at the National Assembly was shut down.
Speaking during plenary, Senator Kalu emphasized that the suspension should not extend to the senator’s aides, as they are employees of the National Assembly and not responsible for her actions.
“We cannot punish Senator Natasha’s aides for an offence they did not commit,” he stated. “They rely solely on their salaries for survival, and it would be unfair for the Senate to deny them and their families their earnings.”
Kalu, therefore, called for an amendment to the suspension terms, advocating for the continued payment of the affected aides’ salaries throughout the period.
