The Senate, on Monday, ruled out a reversal of the six-month suspension imposed on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.
Senate spokesman, Yemi Adaramodu, speaking exclusively with The PUNCH on Monday, dismissed any pressure to reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan, emphasising that the legislative body would adhere strictly to its rules.
He said, “There is no pressure anywhere that can take our eyes away from our noble statutes. The Senate will always regulate her conduct, as empowered in the Nigerian Constitution and as enshrined in our Standing Orders.
The Senate is currently busy, working on the tax reform bills and preparing equally for the constitution review. We want to reflect the feelings of Nigerians on the Electoral Act before the 2027 elections.”
Taking a rather evasive position, the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, also asserted that: “There is no pressure,” adding, however, that “Sometimes it is wisdom to allow time to heal wounds.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, after the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions found her guilty of breaching the Senate Standing Orders.
Her suspension followed a heated exchange with Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.
Meanwhile, Senate President Akpabio has contested the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Abuja to hear Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suit challenging her suspension.
Through his legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), Akpabio argued that the court had no authority to interfere in the internal affairs of the Senate, insisting that legislative matters should be resolved internally.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had approached the Federal High Court seeking to stop the Senate Ethics Committee from investigating her.
On March 4, 2025, Justice Obiora Egwuatu summoned the Senate to appear before it and explain why Akpoti-Uduaghan’s prayers should not be granted.
The court directed the Senate to justify, within 72 hours, why it should not be permanently restrained from investigating the senator for alleged misconduct.
