The lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has subtly responded to a plea by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to President Bola Tinubu to review the withdrawal of police escorts for lawmakers.
Naijaonpoint reports that Akpabio, during plenary on Friday, expressed concern that some legislators might face security threats following the President’s directive to withdraw police escorts from Very Important Persons (VIPs).
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.”
However, speaking via a Facebook post on Sunday, Akpoti-Uduaghan took a veiled jab at Akpabio.
Quoting Akpabio’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 vocal 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.”
Recall that Senator Natasha was suspended from the Senate for six months with privileges withdrawn over alleged misconduct in the Senate chamber.
Tinubu, in November, directed that police officers assigned to politicians, businesspeople, and other VIPs be redeployed to perform core policing duties in communities nationwide to tackle insecurity. The order was part of efforts to strengthen public safety and address the shortage of personnel in critical security areas.