Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has opened up on her relationship with President Bola Tinubu.
The lawmaker revealed that her relationship with the President remains peaceful and respectful, despite being a member of the opposition.
She made this known while addressing recent allegations made by UK-based businesswoman, Sandra Duru, who accused her of plotting to destabilise the Tinubu-led government by targeting Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Akpoti-Uduaghan denied ever making statements against the President or planning any move to discredit his administration.
She explained that she has never been involved in tribal or divisive politics, stressing that her background and upbringing do not support such behaviour.
According to her, the claims made by Duru are completely untrue and likely sponsored by people who feel uncomfortable with the support she receives from both Nigerians at home and abroad.
She pointed out that her meetings with President Tinubu have always been in the interest of national development.
Akpoti-Uduaghan disclosed that she had met with the President on several occasions, especially before raising major issues such as the probe of Ajaokuta.
These meetings, she explained, were to keep the President informed and to make sure he understood the matters at hand.
The senator suggested that her good rapport with Tinubu may have upset certain political figures, including the Senate President.
She recounted an instance where Akpabio allegedly questioned her husband about her visits to the President, a reaction she believes came from a place of insecurity and personal interest.
While admitting that she has unresolved issues with Akpabio, she made it clear that her disagreement is not with the Senate as a whole, nor with the Nigerian people or the Presidency.
She said:
“The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, also knows that I enjoyed a good relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I have not said it in the open before, but I am saying it now, and that annoyed him because there was a time when the Senate President told my husband, ‘Are you aware that your wife goes to see the President?’ and my husband told him he was aware.
“Whenever I have critical issues to raise, like before I brought up the issue of probing Ajaokuta, I did meet with Mr. President to make sure he knew the nature of it, and he was okay with it. For other matters, too, I have met him in person.
“I do not have a hostile relationship with the President, even though I am in the opposition. I keep saying, the good people of Kogi Central voted me as a Senator to work, not to antagonize or create enmity.”
