Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has explained why she invited Senate President Goodwill Akpabio and other senators for the inauguration of projects to mark her second year in office, despite the seeming cold war between her and the leadership of the Red Chamber of the National Assembly.

She described the gesture as “customary” and “procedural for such occasions.”

During plenary yesterday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio had read Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s invitation letter to her constituency for the inauguration of several projects.

The letter reads: “In marking my second year anniversary as a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I wish to invite fellow distinguished senators to join me for projects inauguration in Kogi State.”

Reacting to the development, Akpoti-Uduaghan said: “Today, as is customary for announcements of such nature, I wrote a letter to the Senate through the presiding office to the Senate President to read on the floor. I put out the invitation so it wouldn’t seem like I was celebrating in isolation. I’m a progressive person.

“Even with ongoing court cases, I continue to carry out my duties in the chamber and follow proper procedures. That notification was part of the procedure,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said.

The Kogi Central senator also explained her ordeal in the last two years, saying: “Basically, today, in the celebration of my second year in office, six months of which I lost to an illegal suspension, I extended an invitation to all the senators.

“The Senate President read it on the floor of the chamber. I actually give glory to God because some months ago, the plan was that my seat would have been pronounced vacant.

“But God, being merciful, saved me through all the ordeals I went through.

“To the glory of God, we are celebrating our second year in office with the inauguration of many projects, which we are starting from today. I’ve just arrived in Kogi. I’m on my way to inaugurate the first water project.

“Then we’re having streetlights, transformers, police station quarters for DPOs and officers, a brand new primary school, a brand new secondary school, and two brand new markets in two different local governments, among many others,” she said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan added: “To top it up, we are having a mega empowerment programme on November 2. Basically, from today until November 2, we have lined up projects that I will inaugurate.

“I just give glory to God because I found the courage to continue working for my people.

“If you recall, about three months ago, we did another massive round of empowerment and training. Drones, computers, and electric tools were given to constituents who were trained in specific skills.

“I want Nigerians to know that I appreciate them so far. From last year, when I marked my first year in office, till now, I lost six months, but I made sure my people did not feel deprived of the benefits of the office of the senator.

“Even though it would have been more impactful if I had not been out of the office at all, I made sure I worked extra hard to bring the dividends of democracy to my people. I’m grateful to God,” she said.

Giving her take on the electric vehicle initiative, Akpoti-Uduaghan said: “It is part of the mega empowerment on November 2. We’re empowering 2,000 people with different items, life-transforming equipment and tools.

“The electric vehicles, deep freezers, gas cookers, co-blast kits for shoemakers, sewing machines, fishery ponds, and farming tools, a whole lot. It’s a total of 2,000 beneficiaries on that day.

“As I said, from today, we have a number of activities lined up, and I will be televising them live, showcasing them. We’re just 10 minutes away from the first location in Lokoja, Ganaja, where we’ll inaugurate the water project. Then, I’ll travel the same night to Adogo, Jakuta proper, for the streetlights inauguration before getting back to Ihima.” (The Nation)