…Warns Akpabio-led leadership against silencing opposition
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has cautioned the leadership of the Senate that continued obstruction of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s resumption is unconstitutional and cannot be sustained under Nigerian law.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the Senate’s action under Godswill Akpabio as “illegal, malicious and morally indefensible,” accusing the leadership of deliberately suppressing opposition voices and weakening democratic principles.
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) observes with deep concern the continued obstruction of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming her seat in the Nigerian Senate after the completion of her six-month suspension.
“We consider this development not only malicious, but also deeply injurious to the spirit of our constitutional democracy, especially the right to dissent. Whether one agrees with the basis for that decision or not, the tenure of that disciplinary action has lapsed. Any further attempt to prevent her from resuming is therefore both illegal and morally indefensible,” the statement said.
The ADC noted that throughout the suspension, the senator representing Kogi Central was denied salaries, legislative aides, and access to her office, describing the treatment as “institutional mugging.”
It further criticised the refusal of the Clerk of the National Assembly to process her reinstatement on grounds of sub judice, calling the move an act of “administrative complicity.”
The party also drew attention to the gender implications of the matter, stressing that Akpoti-Uduaghan is one of only four women in the 109-member Senate.
“Nigeria’s shameful 2.7 per cent female representation in the Senate is already the worst in Africa,” the ADC declared, warning that any attempt to block her return would not only discourage women in politics but also damage the country’s international image.
