Senate President Godswill Akpabio declared on Saturday that the National Assembly will not be held hostage by “disruptive instincts” of any member, saying the upper chamber must preserve order, discipline, and respect for its rules to protect Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement titled “The Trials and Triumphs of a Resilient Nigeria’s 10th Senate,” issued by his media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio emphasized that enforcing parliamentary rules is not intended to silence dissent, but to maintain institutional integrity. He said, “Democracy thrives only when its institutions are respected and its rules upheld.”
The reason for this statement is because of the tension over Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central, who has recently completed a six-month suspension over alleged misconduct. Akpoti-Uduaghan continues to contest the legitimacy of the suspension.
Akpabio argued that strong legislatures across advanced democracies, such as those in the UK, Canada, and Australia, share a common thread: strict adherence to rules of parliamentary conduct. He also added that Nigeria’s Senate Standing Orders are not relics but essential tools designed to ensure fairness and stability.
He further defended the right of the Senate to impose discipline. “In the United Kingdom’s House of Commons, the authority of the Speaker is absolute and unchallenged. No member, regardless of party or popularity, may openly defy the Speaker’s ruling without consequences,” he said. According to him, preserving the sanctity of legislative institutions demands that rules be enforced, not ignored.
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The statement added that strong leadership must be firm yet inclusive, acting as a stabilizing force amid rising populism and public cynicism. Akpabio described the 10th Senate as “a chamber of resilience and balance,” in which collective responsibility is more important than individual grandstanding.
On March 6, 2025, the Senate had suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months. The suspension included freezing her salary, withdrawing her security detail, and barring access to her office. The Senate said she violated several provisions of the 2023 Standing Orders, including speaking without recognition, refusing her assigned seat, and making abusive remarks.
Civil society groups like SERAP labelled the suspension unlawful, arguing it infringed on her constitutional rights and violated due process. Inspire of that, the Federal High Court ruled on July 4, 2025 that the six-month suspension was “overreaching” and unconstitutional because it deprived constituents of representation. Akpabio has filed an appeal against that decision. The appeal filed by Senate President Akpabio will determine whether the High Court’s ruling to lift the suspension stands.