A former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Rowland Owie, has condemned the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan without, saying the 10th Senate risks undermining its own integrity.
Reacting to the suspension of the Kogi Central lawmaker, Owie reminded the 10th senate that Nigeria is not a banana republic, warning that legislative impunity could set a dangerous precedent, stressing that no senator should be denied their mandate arbitrarily.
“We are not in a Banana Republic. A senator remains a senator anytime, any day, even when suspended or as a non-serving senator. The 10th Senate must exercise caution to preserve the integrity of the institution,” Owie said.
He added, “I have always warned that the 10th Senate must be careful to avoid sinking the Upper Chamber. If issues are brought before the Senate, there must be thorough investigations—nothing should be swept under the carpet. Ordinarily, the President of the Senate ought to step down to allow for an impartial investigation.”
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, while reacting to her suspension on the senate, said the injustice will not be sustained. Before the microphone was switched off by senator Akpabio – to prevent her from speaking further.
She later called her suspension unjust, noting that it invalidates the principles of natural justice, fairness and equity.
She said, “Against the culture of silence, intimidation and victim-shaming, my unjust suspension from the Nigerian Senate invalidates the principles of natural justice, fairness and equity.
“The illegal suspension does not withdraw my legitimacy as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I will continue to use my duly elected position to serve my constituents and country to the best of my ability till 2027 and beyond.”
The Kogi senator was suspended on Thursday despite a subsisting court order barring the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions from delibrating on the matter.
She had accused senate president Godswill Akpabio is sexually harassing her.
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