Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North) expressed concern over the recommendation to withhold the salaries of the aides of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) during her six-month suspension.
The Senate had suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan following allegations of misconduct and her refusal to comply with the chamber’s seating arrangements.
The suspension entails the withdrawal of her salaries, allowances, and security aides, as well as the closure of her office within the National Assembly. 
During the plenary, Senator Kalu urged his colleagues to reconsider the aspect of the suspension that affects the aides of the suspended senator. He emphasized that these aides are employees of the National Assembly and should not be penalized for actions beyond their control.
“We cannot punish the aides of Senator Natasha for an offence they did not commit,” Senator Kalu stated. “They are staff of the National Assembly and have no other means of livelihood apart from the salaries they earn from the Senate. It would be wrong for us as a Senate to deny them and their families their salaries.”
He further moved for an amendment to the suspension terms, advocating for the continued payment of the aides’ salaries during the suspension period.
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