Senate President Godswill Akpabio has stated that no single member can hold the Nigerian Senate hostage, emphasizing that the institution must uphold discipline and respect for its rules to preserve democracy.1 This statement was made amid renewed tensions involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who recently returned from a six-month suspension.2
In a statement released by his media aide, Akpabio asserted that the Senate’s insistence on enforcing its rules is not about silencing dissent but about maintaining order and the sanctity of democratic institutions.3 He drew parallels with other advanced democracies like the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, where parliamentary conduct and the authority of the presiding officer are upheld with strict consequences for defiance.
Akpabio described the Senate’s Standing Orders as “the living constitution of the institution,” designed to ensure fairness, consistency, and the integrity of the legislative process.4 He argued that discipline in parliamentary conduct is a “universal marker of political civilisation” and that a strong legislature endures by ensuring that dissent operates within the bounds of established procedure.5
The Senate President’s comments reflect a broader context of a leadership style focused on firmness and stability, which he says is essential to prevent institutional decay.6 His tenure has been marked by occasional clashes with senators, including disciplinary actions and disputes over procedural matters, which he and his supporters frame as necessary for enforcing decorum and order.7
