NLC slams Senate’s decision to bar Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, says it’s ‘descent into legislative dictatorship, democratic anarchy
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly condemned the Senate’s decision to bar Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming her duties despite completing her six-month suspension.
NLC President Joe Ajaero described the action as “a brazen, premeditated attack on democratic principles and the sovereignty of Nigerian voters.”
“We will not stand idly by while democracy is cannibalised,” Ajaero declared. “The labour movement, as the historic defender of justice and the common good, will mobilise its immense membership and moral authority to resist this descent into autocracy. An attack on one senator today is an attack on the sovereignty of every Nigerian voter tomorrow.”
The Senate, led by Godswill Akpabio, claims the matter is sub judice, but the NLC argues this is a ploy to silence dissent and crush opposition. According to the NLC, the Senate’s action denies Kogi Central Senatorial District proper representation and sets a precedent for emasculating opposition voices.
Constitutional Concerns
Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education and founder of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance, has also criticized the Senate’s decision, describing it as “an unprecedented assault on constitutional principles”. She noted that the Senate’s action flagrantly disregards established judicial precedent, citing two Federal High Court rulings in 2017 and 2018 where suspensions exceeding 14 days were declared “illegal, unlawful, and unconstitutional.”
“The Senate cannot use pending litigation as justification to prolong an already unconstitutional suspension that has exceeded its own prescribed limits,” Ezekwesili stated. She urged the Chief Justice and National Judicial Council to address the concerning inconsistencies in judicial enforcement
Support from Other Groups
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Afenifere have also condemned the Senate’s decision, describing it as unfair, undemocratic, and a threat to democracy. Chief Sola Ebiseni, Secretary-General of Afenifere, argued that the expiration of the six-month suspension on September 6 made any legal obstacles to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s resumption “untenable” ³.
The controversy surrounding Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension has sparked concerns about the Senate’s motives and the potential implications for Nigeria’s democracy. Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong described the Senate’s decision as “embarrassing” and “scandalous”, stating that having served the six-month suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan should automatically resume her duties.
