The tenth national assembly has always been a stage for drama.
However, the latest episode involving Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and other serving senators has reached another level.
In a move that has sent shockwaves across the country, the Senate suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months as recommended by the senate committee on ethics, privileges and code of conduct led by Senator Neda Imasuem.
Not only that, she was stripped of her security details, just minutes after she resubmitted a petition accusing Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment.
While the official explanation for her suspension was gross misconduct, as stated by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, the timing has led many to question whether this was about discipline or an attempt to silence a woman who dared to speak against power.
More troubling is that the suspension itself is illegal as court rulings have repeatedly affirmed that federal lawmakers can only suspend a colleague for no more than 14 days.
Anything beyond that deprives the affected lawmaker’s constituents of representation, effectively punishing the people rather than the individual.
Being one of the four female senators in the tenth national assembly, Senator Akpoti-Uduagha’s troubles began when her seat was moved without prior notice, a change she saw as an attempt to undermine her and when she resisted, it quickly escalated into a standoff.
According to reports, her initial seat was reassigned to accommodate changes in the chamber following the defection of two opposition senators to the ruling all progressives congress (APC).
Shortly afterward, in a television interview, she accused Senator Akpabio of sexual harassment, a move that changed the dynamics of the senate conflict entirely.
Rather than opening an investigation into her claims, the senate moved quickly to dismiss her allegations and then to suspend her altogether.
A federal high court had earlier ruled that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan should not be investigated for alleged misconduct, reinforcing suspicions that the senate’s actions were less about discipline and more about suppression.
Her suspension, instead of being seen as an act of discipline, has become a symbol of how women in leadership are treated when they refuse to conform.Beyond the ethical concerns, Senator Akpoti-Uduagha’s suspension is a clear violation of the law.
Various courts of competent jurisdiction ruled that suspensions exceeding 14 days are unconstitutional because they deprive constituents of representation.
In a democracy, elected officials serve the people, not just the leadership of the legislative house, therefore for six months, the people of Kogi central will have no voice in the senate.
There would be no motions moved on their behalf, no constituency projects pushed forward and no representation in national debates.
The Senate’s insistence that Senator Akpoti-Uduagha’s suspension was unrelated to her allegations against Senator Akpabio has done little to quell public skepticism.
If the issue was truly misconduct, why have other senators, involved in far more scandals, remained untouched?
The answer lies in power dynamics.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan challenged a system that has long thrived on silencing dissent.If her allegations are false, there are legal avenues for defamation, but if there is any truth to her claims, the senate has a responsibility to investigate rather than punish her.
The world is watching how this plays out.