By Sodiq Adelakun
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken a reconciliatory step towards Senate President Godswill Akpabio after months of political tension, inviting him to Kogi State for a project commissioning ceremony in her senatorial district.
The Kogi Central lawmaker extended the invitation through a letter personally signed by her and read aloud by Akpabio during Thursday’s plenary session.
As part of activities marking her second year in office, the commissioning event is scheduled to hold this Sunday in Ihima, Kogi State.
“In marking my second-year anniversary as serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I wish to invite fellow Distinguished Senators to join me for projects commissioning in Kogi State,” the letter read in part.
Senator Natasha also stated that the meeting point would be her residence at Plot 101, Jimoh Akpoti Street, Ihima, Okene, while lawmakers arriving by air were advised to land at the Obajana Airstrip before proceeding by road to Ihima.
Responding after reading the letter, Akpabio said, “Congratulations in advance,” drawing mixed reactions from colleagues who recalled their earlier disagreements.
The gesture is widely seen as a major step towards reconciliation between both senators, following their public fallout earlier in the year over committee and seat allocations, a dispute that culminated in Senator Natasha’s six-month suspension from the Senate on March 6.
Since her reinstatement on September 24, the Kogi senator has shown renewed engagement during plenary sessions and has occasionally interacted with the Senate President.
However, her latest invitation is being interpreted as the clearest indication yet of her readiness to move beyond past conflicts and work collaboratively with the Senate leadership.
