Something curious happened when it was time to suspend Natasha yesterday. Former Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, though supported suspension, noted that a dangerous precedent was being set by withdrawing her security details. It means the Senate has stripped her of her "Senatorship" .
Akpabio justified it by saying if he stops being Senate President today, if he will continue to drive in the SP car?.
This is false equivalence and I know Akpabio knows it. If Akpabio is removed as SP, he will still remain a Senator. A suspended Senator doesn't stop being a Senator. The only way Natasha can stop being a Senator of the Federal Republic is through a court judgement or she is recalled by her constituents, not by a mere resolution of her co-equals.
Her suspension for 6 months is also ILLEGAL. There are about four court judgements to this effect. They all know this too but they want to teach her a lesson.
To tell you how they wanted more than a pound of flesh from her. When part of the resolution that said she can only be recalled or suspension reduced, if she writes an apology to the Senate, the nays was more. Akpabio had to read it twice and even tried to explain but the voice vote didn't change. They wanted her to stay home with her husband for 6 months. Natasha really pissed off the boys club this time 😁😁. Akpabio had to cleverly go with the yeas, thereby opening room for future reconciliation and/or recall.
My main interest in this case is the legality and absurdity of denying a constituency representation for half a year and even going as far as stripping her of her privileges as a Senator, albeit illegally.
The Senate has their rules but then there is the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria .
So, Natasha was right when she said that the injustice cannot be sustained. Those who meted it yesterday are not unaware. They are Lawyers, Policy makers and Legislators with many years of lawmaking experience. They know what they did.
What happened yesterday was more of a symbolic gesture that as a privileged lady in the boys club, you have to be ladylike and know your place. Aluta continua will not be allowed. Even the other ladies there agreed with this. If Natasha drops her fist in the air and quotable quotes, apologize and exude subservience - which is unlikely - she will retain her designation as the Princess of the Boys Club.
This is Nigeria!
Great article
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