Despite a court ruling declaring her suspension unconstitutional, the Nigerian Senate has declared that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan will remain suspended until it officially receives and scrutinizes the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, made this position clear during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
> “The Senate had applied for the CTC since Monday. Once we receive the document, we will examine its content and act accordingly. However, the Senate must first sit to consider it before taking any decision,” Adaramodu stated.
The statement comes amid public outcry and growing political tension over what many see as the upper chamber’s reluctance to comply with a judicial order. The Federal High Court in Abuja recently declared the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan—a representative of Kogi Central Senatorial District—as unconstitutional, urging immediate reinstatement.
However, the Senate insists that due process must be followed, citing internal legislative procedures and rules.
Adaramodu took a swipe at critics of the Senate’s decision, arguing that the backlash stems from a lack of understanding of legislative protocols.
> “The Senate, by law, is empowered to make and enforce its own rules. Without these rules, the chamber would descend into chaos. Imagine a situation where any senator can decide to sit in the Senate President’s chair simply because they are colleagues—that would lead to disorder,” he said.
He further referenced the recent court case, stating that even the judiciary recognized the Senate’s constitutional right to maintain and apply its internal regulations.
> “That’s why we have Standing Orders. Any breach of these orders can attract sanctions from the entire chamber. Enforcing them isn’t about personal vendettas but maintaining the sanctity of legislative order.”
Adaramodu also stressed that the 180-day suspension handed to Akpoti-Uduaghan includes both sitting and non-sitting days, implying the penalty stands unless modified by a Senate resolution.
> “Our rules stipulate a 180-day suspension. There is no specification as to whether these are calendar or sitting days. The Senate has the discretion to interpret and apply this,” he added.
But critics argue that the Senate’s position reeks of double standards and political bias. They point to the longstanding tensions between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, suggesting that the suspension may be less about discipline and more about silencing dissent.
Many Nigerians are questioning whether the Senate is prioritizing personal vendettas over democratic representation. After all, Akpoti-Uduaghan was not elected to represent herself but the people of Kogi Central, whose voice has now been silenced in the red chamber for months.
As the Senate awaits the CTC and prepares to “deliberate,” the fate of thousands of constituents continues to hang in the balance—while the legislative drama deepens.
PIONEER NEWS 