Senate President Godswill Akpabio has reaffirmed that the National Assembly will not allow itself to be destabilized by what he described as the “disruptive instincts” of any individual lawmaker.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, and titled “The Trials and Triumphs of a Resilient Nigeria’s 10th Senate,” Akpabio stressed that the legislature’s enforcement of its rules was not an attempt to silence dissenting voices but a necessary measure to preserve discipline, order, and the sanctity of Nigeria’s democracy.
His remarks came amid the ongoing controversy involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central, who recently returned to the Senate after a six-month suspension and has continued to challenge the decision.
Akpabio maintained that the Senate operates on the principles of respect for rules and collective responsibility, warning that no member would be allowed to undermine its authority.
“The Senate cannot and will not be held hostage by the disruptive instincts of any of its members. Democracy thrives only when its institutions are respected and its rules upheld,” he declared.
Drawing examples from global democracies, Akpabio noted that maintaining order within legislative chambers is a hallmark of political maturity.
“In the United Kingdom’s House of Commons, the authority of the Speaker is absolute. No member can defy the Speaker’s ruling without facing consequences. The Nigerian Senate’s Standing Orders are living instruments designed to ensure fairness and protect the integrity of the legislative process,” he said.
The Senate President defended the chamber’s right to discipline erring members, adding that such measures are consistent with global parliamentary standards. He emphasized that the 10th Senate remains “a chamber of resilience and balance,” committed to practicing democracy rooted in freedom and order.
“When we insist that the Senate will not be held hostage by any single member, we are asserting that collective responsibility outweighs individual grandstanding. Strong legislatures endure not by suppressing dissent, but by ensuring that dissent operates within procedural boundaries,” Akpabio explained.
He described his leadership as firm yet inclusive, stressing that the Senate must remain a stabilizing force in a period of rising political populism and public skepticism.
“Leadership of this sort is not about applause but about stability. By enforcing its rules, the Senate restores its moral authority and shows that discipline is not oppression—it is the safeguard against institutional decay,” Akpabio concluded.