Natasha Akpoti sworn-in as Kogi Central Senator

By Tayo ABIOLA

Mrs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been sworn-in as Senator representing Kogi Central after a long drawn legal battle.

The Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic was sworn-in by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Thursday.

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Monday, affirmed Akpoti-Uduaghan, of the Peoples Democratic Party, was the duly elected candidate for Kogi Central on February 25, this year.

The appellate court dismissed the appeal filed by Senator Abubakar Ohere for lacking in merit.

Earlier in September, the Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Lokoja, had nullified the victory of Ohere of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The court further declared that Akpoti-Uduaghan was the actual winner of the February senatorial poll.

However, Ohere challenged the ruling of the tribunal at the Appeal Court but the court upheld Akpoti-Uduaghan as the winner of the poll.

The oath of office and oath of allegiance were administered on the new Senator by the Clerk to the Senate, Mr. Chinedu Akubueze around 11:41am on the directive of the Senate President.

She thereafter proceeded to have an handshake with the Senate President who handed her a copy of the Senate Standing Rules.

She was later led to her seat by the Sergeant-At-Arms after exchange of pleasantries with colleagues.