The senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, has revealed that she never had the opportunity to review the committee report that formed the basis for the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Kingibe made the disclosure on Wednesday during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, where she addressed questions surrounding the controversial suspension of her colleague and her role in the process that led to the Senate’s decision.
According to the FCT lawmaker, she was away attending a retreat focused on tax reforms at the time the report was being considered, making it impossible for her to examine its contents before action was taken.
Speaking during the interview, Kingibe stated that she had previously explained the circumstances surrounding her absence and maintained that she was engaged in legislative activities she believed were of greater importance to the people she represents.
“I never saw the report that led to Natasha’s suspension. I was at a retreat. I had earlier stated that I was there with three or four other senators who are members of the committee,” she said.
Her remarks have added a new dimension to ongoing discussions about the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, a matter that has generated considerable public interest and debate within political circles and among civil society groups.
Kingibe explained that she initially attended a meeting of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions and fulfilled the basic requirement of signing the attendance register before leaving for the tax reform retreat.
According to her, the retreat addressed issues that she believed had more direct and immediate implications for residents of the Federal Capital Territory than the disciplinary proceedings involving a fellow senator. “We attended the Committee on Petitions and Public Complaints, signed the attendance register, and I later left for the tax reform retreat, which I considered more important at the time,” she said.
The senator stressed that her decision was guided by what she viewed as the best interests of her constituents, noting that tax reforms have significant implications for economic development, government revenue and public services. “It affects my constituents much more than disciplining a senator, and I figured that the other people who were not part of that committee would take care of it,” she added.
Kingibe’s comments suggest that she entrusted the matter to other members of the committee and Senate leadership who remained involved in the proceedings, believing that the disciplinary process would be handled according to established parliamentary procedures.
The revelation has reignited conversations about the circumstances surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension and the processes followed by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions before its recommendations were adopted.
Political observers note that disciplinary actions within legislative chambers often attract intense scrutiny because of their implications for representation, accountability and democratic governance.
The suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier sparked reactions from supporters, political analysts and advocacy groups, some of whom questioned aspects of the process leading to the decision.
Kingibe’s assertion that she did not review the report before the suspension was approved is likely to fuel further debate about how committee findings are considered and the level of participation of lawmakers in decisions affecting their colleagues. The FCT senator, however, did not indicate that any procedural wrongdoing occurred.
Instead, she emphasized that her absence was due to competing legislative responsibilities and the need to prioritize matters she considered crucial to her constituents. Her comments also highlight the challenge lawmakers often face in balancing multiple responsibilities, including committee work, plenary sessions, policy retreats and constituency-related engagements.
Analysts say the issue underscores the importance of legislative committees in shaping decisions within the National Assembly, as their reports frequently serve as the basis for actions taken by the larger chamber. As discussions continue over the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, Kingibe’s remarks are expected to remain part of the broader conversation about transparency, accountability and due process within the Senate.
For now, the senator maintains that while she attended the initial committee session, she neither saw nor reviewed the report that ultimately informed the disciplinary action against her colleague, insisting that she was engaged in a tax reform retreat she believed was more directly connected to the welfare of the people of the Federal Capital Territory.
