Abuja — President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has cautioned critics against making uninformed statements about Senate affairs, urging the public to familiarize themselves with parliamentary procedures before engaging in debates.
His remarks come amid growing controversy over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, for allegedly violating Senate rules—a decision Akpabio insists was unanimously backed by lawmakers.
Addressing a delegation from the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum in Abuja, Akpabio expressed concern over the increasing spread of misinformation, particularly on social media.
“People who do not understand Senate procedures are the ones making misleading public commentaries. We advise the public to seek facts before making statements,” he said.
Akpabio also dismissed external interpretations of Senate proceedings, likening them to “a herbalist quoting the Bible or someone unfamiliar with Islam interpreting the Qur’an.”
The Senate President also underscored the significance of his position, stating: “The Niger Delta last held this office 46 years ago. This position is crucial to the country’s economic survival, and we will not allow political maneuvering to undermine it.”
Saraki: Don’t Politicize Calls for Due Process
Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has criticized Akpabio’s claims that calls for transparency in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case were attempts to remove a Niger Delta leader from office.
In a statement by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki rejected the ethnic narrative, arguing that his concerns were solely about upholding legislative integrity.
“Dr. Saraki never called for Akpabio’s resignation. He only urged the Senate President to ensure an open, transparent, and unbiased investigation into the allegations against him to safeguard the integrity of the Senate,” the statement read.
Saraki insisted that his intervention was not about supporting Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims but about preventing the perception that the Senate is covering up allegations of “sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and abuse of office.”
SERAP to Senate: Reverse Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension or Face Lawsuit
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has threatened legal action if the Senate does not rescind Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension within 48 hours.
In a statement by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP described the suspension as “unlawful, unnecessary, and disproportionate,” arguing that it violates fundamental human rights and suppresses free speech within the Senate.
“Suspending a senator for expressing an opinion undermines Nigerians’ right to receive information and denies her constituents their right to political participation,” SERAP stated.
Legal Experts: Senate Lacks Power to Enforce Long-Term Suspension
Legal experts and political figures have also weighed in, questioning the legality of the six-month suspension.
Chief Francis Maku, a PDP chieftain and former chairman of Warri North Local Government, argued that the suspension violates the rights of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents.
“In Senator Ali Ndume v. Senate (2018), the Court of Appeal ruled that the Senate cannot suspend a member beyond 14 days. The National Assembly must ensure fair representation for all constituencies,” Maku asserted.
As pressure mounts, political observers say the outcome of this standoff will have lasting implications for legislative accountability and internal democracy within the Senate.
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