Following a defamation suit initiated by Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Niger Delta Development Agenda (NDDA) has urged her to respect her in-laws from the region and sheath her sword.

Recall that Natasha has taken legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio over alleged defamation.

The senator demanded N100 billion in general damages and N300 million in litigation costs.

The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on February 25 through her counsel, Victor Giwa, also listed Mfon Patrick, a senior legislative aide to Akpabio, as a defendant.

Addressing a world press conference on Thursday in Abuja, NDDA Convener Iteveh Nur’ Ekpokpobe noted that the vilification of the Senate leadership, whose graces Senator Natasha has enjoyed, is rather distasteful and undignified.

He described Akpabio as the defender of the Niger Delta and commended him for his leadership acumen in bringing the chicken home to roost.

“We reiterate that the appointment of members and chairmen of committees is the prerogative of the Senate leadership. Thus, the vilification of the Senate leadership, whose graces Senator Natasha has enjoyed, is rather distasteful and undignified.

“We urge her to embrace the reality of privilege to serve her in-laws and respect the region further by sheathing her sword.

“Internal politics has been played. It favors you sometimes and goes against you at other times. When it favors you, rejoice and utilize it, but when it goes against you, embrace it as one of those times and forge ahead.”

According to Ekpokpobe, in August 2023, the group raised the alarm over the fact that the 10th Senate constituted 74 standing committees without appointing a single senator from Delta State as chairman.

“While we hailed the constitution of these committees, we frowned at the fact that, as many as they are, almost every state was allocated a chairmanship except Delta State.

“Focusing only on South-South Nigeria, out of the 74 committees, Cross River State got three, Rivers State got two, Akwa Ibom State got two, Edo State got one, Bayelsa State got one, while Delta State got none.

“Even as we lamented and appealed, we understood that the appointment of senators as members and chairmen of committees was the prerogative of the Senate President.

“We also understood that a bulk of the senators were first-timers and that their appointments were largely influenced by internal politicking at the time of the Senate President’s election. Months into the Senate leadership, there have been several committee reshuffles.

“These reshuffles have seen senators who were mere committee members become vice chairmen and eventual chairmen of committees. This move reflects the leadership acumen of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, obviously hinged on inclusiveness.

“The recent reshuffle of House committee leadership saw Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from Kogi State removed as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, with Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas from Delta State announced as the new chairman.

“That singular move has been the underlying issue behind the controversies in the Senate throughout the week.

“First, the Niger Delta Development Agenda hereby describes Senate President Godswill Akpabio as the Defender of the Niger Delta. We commend him for his leadership acumen in bringing the chicken home to roost.

“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan enjoyed the privilege of heading the Local Content Committee because of her marital affiliation with the Niger Delta region—nothing more, nothing less. If the Senate leadership, which made her chairman, decides to remove her, it is rather distasteful of her to throw tantrums as she is doing.

“The contribution of the Niger Delta region to the economic development of our beloved country cannot be overemphasized.

“The chairmanship of the Local Content Committee provides ample opportunity for interaction with all stakeholders in the oil exploration sector. Hence, it would be a great disservice if this all-important portfolio were given to anybody outside the Niger Delta region.

“Again, while we see the Senate Committee leadership reshuffle as timely and necessary, we hail Senate President Godswill Akpabio for protecting the Niger Delta region.”