Focus on legislative duties, stop distracting Nigerians, group urges Natasha

From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

An advocacy group under the umbrella of Citizens Network for Peace and Development in Nigeria has warned Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to focus on her legislative duties and desist from being a constant distraction to the upper chambers and Nigerians in general.

The group, in a statement by its Executive Director, Barr Francis Okereke Wainwei, claimed that her unruly and inappropriate behaviour in the hallowed chamber of the Senate showed clearly that she has lost focus on her legislative duties and turned herself into a distraction.

It admitted that it is within her constitutionally guaranteed right to speak up against oppression and discriminatory policies targeted at her; however, such must be done in line with the principles of decorum and respect for parliamentary procedures.

“As a senator, it is imperative that Natasha prioritises the welfare and interests of her constituents and the nation at large above personal and selfish interests. The position of a senator is not just a privilege but also a responsibility to serve the people.

“We are therefore calling on her to focus on her legislative duties of lawmaking, oversight functions, and representation; ensuring that the interests of her constituents are protected and promoted and not her personal and selfish interests. She should refrain from engaging in activities that may be perceived as distractions or detrimental to the Senate’s image and the nation’s progress.

“This call is premised on the fact that the recent unruly and inappropriate behaviour of Natasha in the hallowed chamber showed clearly that she has lost focus on her legislative duties and has turned herself to be a distraction to the Senate and the Nigerian people,” the statement read.

Advising her further, the group noted: “Therefore, there is an urgent need for Natasha to have a sober reflection and redirect her energy to competently discharge her primary responsibility as a legislator.

“We totally agree with the fact that Natasha has a constitutionally guaranteed right to speak up against oppression and discriminatory policies targeted at her or when her rights as a senator are infringed upon but such must also be done in line with the principles of decorum and respect for parliamentary procedures.

“As a senator, she must thoroughly study the extant procedural rules and conduct herself in accordance with such rules of the Senate. She cannot conduct herself in a manner that shows she is above the rules of the Senate,” the group charged her in the statement.

The umbrella body of patriotic citizens fighting and advocating for the holistic development of Nigeria also noted that “we are greatly disturbed that a mere conventional change of seats that was occasioned by new defections in the Senate, which wasn’t targeted at Natasha but also affected other senators, could make her behave in such an unruly manner and create so much negative content that has greatly distracted the Senate and the Nigerian people.

“Let Natasha deploy her energy to supporting and sponsoring bills that will move this country forward and better the lot of the poor masses rather than fighting for a mere sitting position in the Senate that will not contribute in any way to enhancing the quality of her representation or the discharge of her legislative duties.

“She must give priority attention to her primary responsibility as a legislator if she has to be taken seriously or be considered as a senator that’s in the Senate for the betterment of the country,” the group charged her.