The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has sparked heated debates across Nigeria, with many questioning whether the Senate’s decision was justified or fueled by bias. But Nasarawa State APC Chairman Aliyu Bello is setting the record straight: this is about rules, not gender.
In a recent opinion piece, Bello defended the Senate’s six-month suspension of the Kogi Central lawmaker, arguing that it was a necessary move to uphold legislative integrity. Here’s a breakdown of the controversy and why Bello believes the Senate got it right.
The Backstory: Why Was Akpoti-Uduaghan Suspended?
Last Thursday, the Senate upheld its Ethics Committee’s recommendation to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months. The decision followed her petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment—a claim the committee dismissed on procedural grounds, stating her actions had brought ridicule to the Senate.
The suspension has since ignited a firestorm of criticism, with many accusing the Senate of targeting a female lawmaker. But Bello insists the move was purely about enforcing Senate rules.
Bello’s Argument: Rules Are Rules
In his piece titled “Akpabio, Natasha, and Senate: A Question of Rules, Not Gender,” Bello pointed out that the Senate has a history of suspending members—both male and female—who breach its rules.
He cited examples like the 2018 suspension of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (APC, Delta Central) for 90 days and the 2023 suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) over budget padding allegations.
“The Nigerian Senate has a well-documented history of suspending members—male and female—who breach its rules,” Bello wrote. “Why, then, should Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case be framed differently?”
Gender Bias or Institutional Integrity?
Bello argued that framing Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension as gender bias risks trivializing the real struggles for equity.
“The Senate’s disciplinary mechanisms are gender-blind, prioritizing institutional integrity over individual identity,” he stated.
He also noted that not a single senator—including those from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s party—opposed the suspension. For Bello, this underscores the importance of enforcing parliamentary rules uniformly to maintain order.
The Bigger Picture: A Call for Focus on Systemic Issues
While the suspension has drawn widespread criticism, Bello urged advocates of gender equality to focus on systemic barriers rather than isolated cases.
“Enforcing parliamentary rules uniformly is key to maintaining order,” he said. “We must avoid conflating disciplinary actions with gender marginalization.”
What’s Next?
The controversy shows no signs of dying down. Supporters of Akpoti-Uduaghan are demanding a review of the decision, while others, like Bello, insist that legislative discipline must be upheld.
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the Nigerian Senate’s actions will continue to be scrutinized, not just for their fairness but for their impact on the broader fight for equity and justice in politics.