In a surprising turn of events, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has successfully advocated for the salaries of Senator Natasha Akpoti’s aides to continue uninterrupted, despite her six-month suspension from the Senate.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!During the plenary session, Kalu proposed an amendment to the committee’s recommendations, which initially suggested withholding the aides’ salaries. He argued that the aides, being employees of the National Assembly, should not bear the consequences of their principal’s suspension.
Kalu emphasized the financial hardship this would impose on the staff and their families, stating, “We cannot punish the aides of Senator Natasha for an offence they did not commit… It would be unjust for us, as a Senate, to deny them and their families their earnings.”
The Senate ultimately heeded Kalu’s plea, revising its decision to spare the aides’ salaries. This development highlights Kalu’s commitment to fairness and justice, particularly in regards to the welfare of National Assembly staff. As the Senate continues to navigate the complexities of Natasha’s suspension, Kalu’s intervention has provided a measure of relief for those indirectly affected by the decision.