The viral video on how President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, struck the gavel that sealed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension is having the unintended effect of making the public reassess the dramatis personae in the ongoing drama surrounding the six-month suspension of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.
In the video, Senator Akpabio had proposed a motion that after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six months suspension, she would still have to apologise before she might be re-admitted into the hallowed chambers of the Senate.
After the third try, he struck the gavel in favour of the ayes. Expectedly, Nigerians have been making comments and reactions to the video with many changing sides as they deem fit.
According to a columnist, Jubril Ibrahim, “He called for the voice vote, and the overwhelming majority said NAY. He decided they did not hear him well and repeated the motion, again, the majority said NAY. The same thing happened the third time when the almighty Senate President decided to announce the ‘Ayes have it’.
“The meaning of this incident is clear. Senators have had their mandate confiscated by President Akpabio and whatever he decides to announce is the absolute law in the upper chamber.”
On her own Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has refused to back down. She, in fact, escalated to the international scene last week alongside another suit, this time a contempt suit she filed against the Senate President, Akpabio, Clerk of the National Assembly, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Priviliges, and Code of Conduct, Senator Neda Imasuen.
THEWILL recalls that Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on 4 March restrained the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct from proceeding with any investigation against the plaintiff/applicant, while delivering judgement on an ex parte motion filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan through her team of counsels led by Michael Numan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
This investigation related to alleged misconduct following events that occurred during the Senate plenary session on February 20, 2025 and a subsequent referral on February 25, 2025.
The court declared that “any action taken during the pendency of the suit is null, void and of no effect whatsoever.”
Still, two days after the court’s ruling, the Senate proceeded to suspend Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months.
Responding to the court ruling, the Senate President contested the power of the court to interfere in the internal affairs of the legislature, insisting that the court lacked jurisdiction to intervene in Senate matters.
However, in her contempt charge, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan argued that her suspension constituted wilful disobedience to the subsisting court order issued on March 4, stating that an enrolled order of the interim injunction issued by Justice Egwuatu was duly served on the defendants on March 5.
It warned that defying the subsisting order rendered Akpabio, Senator Imasuen, and the Clerk of the National Assembly liable for contempt of court, which could result in their committal to prison.
Two incidents followed in quick succession in the matter, as regards her problem with the Senate. She had had a heated confrontation with the Senate leadership over a new seating arrangement, which she claimed was designed to undermine her.
Then she alleged on national television that Akpabio had sexually harassed her and was punishing her for rejecting his alleged sexual advances. But she was suspended on March 6. The Senate said she was suspended for violating the House rule and not on allegation of sexual harassment.
According to the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the issue that was refered to the ethics and privileges committee had nothing to do with sexual harassment.
He disagreed with those condemning Akpabio for being a judge in his case, arguing that the public need to understand that the matter before the Senate and on which Akpabio presided over as president had to do with the motion referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition.
“It is not a rule of men, it is a rule of law. It is not about some men trying to gang up against a woman or anybody; it is about ensuring that our rules are respected. That is the only way we can guarantee peace, law and order,” he stated.
Bamidele also clarified the notion held by critics that the Senate had no right to suspend any member. According to the Senate, Akpoti-Uduaghan was found guilty of violating Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the Senate rules, which led to her suspension.
“If Akpoti-Uduaghan had strictly followed its guiding principles, the Senate would have treated her petition based on merit, in line with its practice, noting that she never obeyed the established practices of the institution where she was serving,” Bamidele said.
Undaunted, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan took her case to a United Nations forum, International Parliamentary Union, where she made an allegation of political victimisation.
Akpabio’s endorsement comes barely 48 hours after Akpoti-Uduaghan escalated her dispute with Akpabio presenting
Speaking at the Women in Parliament session during the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting at the United Nations in New York, last Wednesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan called for international intervention to hold the Nigerian Senate accountable.
She further decried stringent conditions imposed on her, including withdrawal of security, salary cuts, and a ban from the National Assembly for six months.
Rising swiftly to her report, the Nigerian Senate had defended its decision to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan before the Inter-Parliamentary Union. It maintained that she was suspended for misconduct and not sexual harassment.
Speaking before the IPU, the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, who said she was mandated by the Nigerian Senate to respond to claims made by Akpoti-Uduaghan, said, “Such allegations demand a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation. At the same time, we must ensure that fairness is upheld for all individuals involved and that justice is neither predetermined nor one-sided.
“Nigeria remains firmly committed to upholding women’s rights and combating gender-based violence through strong legal frameworks and institutions. Our Parliament and Judiciary continue to undergo reforms to strengthen these efforts.
“The ongoing legislative initiatives seek to address historical imbalances in women’s representation in our Parliament, including the Reserve Seats Bill and other crucial proposed constitutional amendments aimed at safeguarding the rights and privileges of women. These efforts underscore our commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable political space.”
“Let it be unequivocally stated that Senator Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent act of misconduct and disregard for the Senate Standing Orders.”
“I want to call on the IPU, not to be coaxed to do anything that will diminish the status of the parliament as the bastion of democracy. IPU should not succumb to being used as an instrument of blackmail against a national institution of parliament.” Adeola stated.
On Thursday, the Senate passed a vote of confidence in Senator Akpabio.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan suit to March 25, 2025. The court adjourned over submission by the respondents that they had not been served with the necessary documents.
Kunmi ‘The Super Cat’ is a massage therapist, an entertainment and erotic content writer. She is a pop culture enthusiast!
