The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned that the continued obstruction of Senator representing Kogi West in the Senate, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, from returning to the Senate after her six months suspension, is abusive and a flagrant affront on Nigeria’s democratic values
ADC Interim National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement on Wednesday, said the development is not only malicious, but also deeply injurious to the spirit of constitutional democracy, especially the right to dissent.
“It is important to recall that the suspension of Senator Natasha was imposed by the Senate, not by a court of law,” the party said, adding that 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.
“This is not about partisan politics. It is about a dangerous precedent being set within our legislative institutions, one that reduces democratic representation to the whims of a few individuals rather than the will of the electorate.
“It is about a political culture that appears more invested in punishing dissent than in upholding justice,” ADC stated.
It noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituency elected her to speak on their behalf, adding that denying her access to the chamber is, by extension, denying her constituents the right to be heard.
“It is especially troubling that during the course of her suspension, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was denied her salaries, legislative aides, and access to her office.
“These are not privileges, but instruments of public service. To strip an elected senator of these tools is not discipline, it is institutional mugging,” the party argued.
ADC expressed worry at the posture of the Senate leadership, which it said, has continued to act as though legislative power can be exercised without accountability.
The party challenged the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and his colleagues to explain why a suspension that has run its course should be made indefinite by stealth.
It noted that several respected Senior Advocates of Nigeria have rightly observed that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s hsuspension, having fully lapsed, can no longer be used as a justification to deny her return.
“A pending legal appeal does not suspend constitutional rights, nor does it grant any official the power to override the mandate of the electorate.
“To continue barring her from office is therefore a violation of the constitution. The Senate, as the nation’s highest lawmaking body, must not be seen to violate the very laws it exists to uphold,” ADC advised.
The party also expressed concern at the Clerk of the National Assembly’s refusal to process her resumption on the grounds that the matter is sub judice.
According to the ADC, while the Clerk may claim administrative caution, “what is being projected is administrative complicity.
“His role is not to adjudicate but to facilitate. When the administrative machinery becomes hostage to political interests, the institution itself is diminished.”
ADC warned that Senate’s ill-treatment of one of its female members could have implication on the cause of women’s political participation in politics generally.
“Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is one of only four women in a Senate of 109 members.
“Nigeria’s paltry female representation of 2.7 % is already among the worst record of women political participation even in Africa.
“Any action that resembles gendered intimidation of the few women in the Senate would only discourage women participation and make Nigeria appear even worse in the eyes of the world.
“Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy while marginalising half of its population from its most critical spaces of decision-making.
“The soul of democracy lies in its capacity to accommodate dissent, protect the minority voice, and uphold the rule of law, no matter how inconvenient.
“What is at stake here is not just one Senate seat, but the integrity of our democracy itself.
“The ADC, therefore stands firmly in defense of democratic principles and women’s political participation.
“We therefore demand that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan be allowed to resume her duties immediately,” the party stated.
