The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has reacted to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio’s recent plea to President Bola Tinubu to review the withdrawal of police escorts attached to lawmakers, saying her faith and the support of her constituents were her true protection.
Akpoti-Uduaghan made the statement in a Facebook post on Sunday, in what appeared to be a veiled response to Akpabio’s remarks during the joint session of the National Assembly on Friday, where President Tinubu presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
Quoting the Senate President’s appeal to the President, she wrote, “Some senators won’t be able to go home this holiday, please review your security policy.”
Responding pointedly, the female lawmaker stated, “When you withdrew my security amidst the illegal suspension nko? Allah Almighty, through my beloved people of Kogi Central, are my security. Beat that love.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan was previously suspended from the Senate for six months, with her privileges withdrawn, over alleged misconduct in the Senate chamber.
During the Friday session, Akpabio had expressed concern that some legislators could face security threats following the implementation of the President’s directive ordering the withdrawal of police escorts from Very Important Persons.
President Tinubu had, in November, directed that police officers attached to politicians, businesspeople, and other VIPs be redeployed to carry out core policing duties in communities across the country as part of efforts to address insecurity and the shortage of personnel in critical security areas.
Akpabio warned that the policy could leave some lawmakers vulnerable, particularly during the holiday season. He said, “As you direct the security agencies to withdraw policemen from critical areas, some of the National Assembly members said I should let you know that they might not be able to go home today because they might be picked up. So, on that note, we plead with the President for a review of the decision.”
The appeal followed similar concerns raised by Senator Abdul Ningi, who complained that his police orderly had been withdrawn while some VIPs elsewhere continued to enjoy security protection, urging the Federal Government to apply the policy “across the board” in the interest of fairness and equity.
