Akpabio Says No Senator Can Hold The Senate Hostage

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has warned that the National Assembly will not allow any of its members to disrupt its proceedings or undermine its authority.

In a statement released by his media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio said the 10th Senate must remain disciplined and guided by its standing rules to protect the stability of Nigeria’s democracy. He explained that enforcing the rules of the chamber was not an attempt to silence opposition but a way to maintain order and uphold the dignity of the legislature.

Akpabio stressed that the Senate could not be held hostage by the actions of any individual, adding that democracy can only thrive when its institutions are respected and its laws are observed. His statement comes amid growing tension over the return of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central, who recently resumed legislative duties after a six-month suspension she continues to challenge.

The Senate President said parliamentary discipline remains a global standard, noting that respected democracies such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia also enforce strict legislative conduct. According to him, no member of parliament in those countries can defy the Speaker’s ruling without facing consequences.

He described Nigeria’s Senate Standing Orders as a living framework designed to ensure fairness and consistency, not a ceremonial formality. He said maintaining order in the upper chamber was vital for credibility, stability, and institutional respect.

Akpabio also defended the Senate’s authority to sanction or suspend lawmakers who breach its rules, saying that even in advanced democracies, disciplinary action against erring members is a normal part of parliamentary life.

He concluded that Nigeria’s Senate must uphold those same standards to safeguard the integrity of the country’s democratic process and protect the institution from internal disruptions.