The Nigerian Senate: A Bully’s Dream

A troubling pattern of disciplinary measures is making a resurgence in the 10th Senate. Under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, suspension has resurfaced as a tool of political control and suppression, echoing the tactics of past Senate Presidents who have wielded this power to serve personal interests. 

More recently, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) was suspended for defying Senate President Godswill Akapbio’s sitting arrangement and, in the heat of the ensuing confrontation, accusing him of sexual harassment. The Senate’s Ethics Committee swiftly handed down a six-month suspension, an action critics deemed unjust and procedurally flawed. Now, a federal court has overturned the suspension, declaring that it’s unlawful and unethical to suspend a duly elected senator for such an extended period. Empowered by the court’s ruling, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan returned to the National Assembly on Tuesday to resume her duties but was barred from entry by security operatives on the orders of the Senate leader. 

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension isn’t an isolated case. Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central)  also faced disciplinary action after publicly questioning alleged budget padding — a move interpreted by many as retaliation for his bold stance against the establishment.  Senator Ningi’s case is another lens for critics to scrutinize and accuse  Senate President Akpabio of using his authority not for the interest of legislative processes but to stifle opposition,  a calculated use of suspensions to suppress dissenting voices within the legislative chamber. While some may dismiss Senator Ningi’s suspension as a power play gone wrong, the pattern is difficult to ignore: lawmakers who challenge Akpabio’s leadership often find themselves targeted by punitive measures. These two suspensions suggest a troubling shift in the Senate where enforcement appears less about discipline and more about control.  These incidents have raised concerns about the abuse of suspension powers by Senate Presidents throughout Nigeria’s democratic history. Senate President Akpabio is not a lone culprit here– his predecessors have also faced criticism for wielding suspensions as a weapon against those who dare to challenge the status quo. 

The pattern exposes a systemic flaw — the excessive concentration of disciplinary powers in the hands of a one figure (Senate President Akpabio presided over the plenary that suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan, even after ostensibly recusing himself), making it easier to exploit for personal or political gain. The lack of checks and balances within the internal workings of the Senate allows this power to be wielded with little accountability. There are concerns that this recurring pattern undermines the principles of democracy and weakens the Senate’s credibility. Rather than fostering a space for robust debate and diverse opinions, these suspensions send a chilling message to lawmakers: dissent at your peril!

The implications of this pattern are far-reaching. It stifles free speech within the legislative arm of government and erodes public trust in the Senate as an institution meant to represent the people’s interests. When lawmakers fear suspension for voicing opposing views, the quality of democratic discourse suffers, and the Senate risks becoming an echo chamber for those aligned with the leadership.

As Nigerians watch, the question lingers: Who might be next? There’s still a long road to 2027, and it is crucial that the Nigerian Senate breaks free from the recurring cycle of political intimidation disguised a parliamentary discipline. What remains clear is that without meaningful systemic reform, the risk of unchecked disciplinary power looms large, threatening not only the integrity of the Senate but also the broader democratic fabric of Nigeria.