French philosopher Voltaire posisted “I may not like what you say or do but I will defend with the last pint of my blood, your right to say it.” Unarguably, efforts by the Senator Godswill Akpabio led Senate to douse tension and possibly put to rest the allegations by Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan to rest has not yielded the expected dividends. Rather, the matter has gone beyond the shores of Nigeria as Natasha took the matter to Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference (IPU) in NewYork to wail before the global audience.
While the Akpabio led Senate vowed not to rescind the decision sending her out the chamber for six months, Natasha vowed not to rest until justice is manifestly done. She wants the international community to wade in to save her and the threat to democracy in Nigeria.
The situation has gone messier as both Akpabio and Natasha groups have embarked on protests and counter-protests on the issue.
Regrettably, issues of national concerns like the downturn in the economy and the unabating security challenges have been left to suffer by the apex law making organ of Nigeria. What a shame, what an irony?.
Even when the courts in Nigeria had consistently overruled and indeed abhors the resort to suspension of a sitting senator, yet, our lawmakers, the supposed custodians of our laws would not quake.
Here is a list of Senators who have previously faced suspension:
- Femi Okurounmu (Ogun Central) – 1999: Senator Okurounmu was suspended in 1999 under Senator Evan Enwerem leadership after alleging that fellow senators were planning to impeach President Olusegun Obasanjo. He was later recalled after tendering an apology to the Senate.
- Joseph Waku (Benue) – 2000: In 2000, Senator Waku suggested that a military coup would be preferable to allowing President Obasanjo to continue ruling as a dictator. This statement led to his suspension under Evan Enwerem leadership due to its controversial nature.
- Arthur Nzeribe (Imo-West) – 2002: Senator Nzeribe was indefinitely suspended under Anyim Pius Anyim leadership in November 2002 over a ₦22 million fraud allegation.
- Isah Mohammed (Niger-Central) – 2004: In October 2004, Senator Mohammed was suspended for two weeks after physically assaulting Senator Iyabo Anisulowo outside the National Assembly lobby. It was under Adolphus Wabara senate presidency. The altercation was reportedly related to the disbursement of committee funds.
- Ali Ndume (Borno South) – 2017: Senator Ndume was suspended under Bukola Saraki’s senate leadership for six months in 2017 after calling for an investigation into allegations involving then Senate President Bukola Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye.
- Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central) – 2018: In 2018, Senator Omo-Agege was suspended after opposing the election reordering bill. Despite apologizing for his stance, he sought a court order to prevent the Senate from suspending him, which led to his suspension. It was under Senator Bukola Saraki’s leadership.
- Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) – 2024: Senator Ningi was suspended for three months in 2024 after alleging that the National Assembly padded the 2024 budget by ₦3 trillion. It was under Senator Godswill Akpabio.
- Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) – 2025: The lawmaker representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on the 6th of March, 2025, was suspended for six months over alleged misconduct in the red chamber under current senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Nigerians are waiting with bathed breath how the Akpabio/Natasha tangle will end.
