Defending the Senate’s Integrity Against Emotional
Manipulation and Misrepresentation
Distinguished Nigerians,
It is important that we separate facts from
sensationalism and resist the growing trend of exploiting gender sentiments to
mask disorderly conduct within the Senate. The legislative chamber is not a
battleground for personal grievances or emotional outbursts but a place of
order, debate, and democratic principles.
The recent outcry over the suspension of Senator
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been twisted into a false narrative of
victimization and suppression. Let it be clear: what was before the Senate was
not her petition—something she herself has confirmed—but her conduct on the
Senate floor, which violated the decorum expected of lawmakers.
“Seat Reallocation Is a Standard Senate Practice”
The issue started with a simple matter—seat
reallocation. This is a normal and longstanding practice in the Senate. I have
personally been moved three times.
Here’s how it works:
Whenever a senator leaves for any reason—whether due
to death, defection, or other circumstances—there is an adjustment in the
seating arrangement. This happens across both party lines, and it is not
targeted at any individual. The idea is to ensure that seats are properly
arranged based on seniority, party balance, and Senate rules.
For instance, a ranking senator sits in the front row.
If that senator leaves, a new member cannot just take that seat. Instead,
everyone shifts accordingly. It is a process where multiple senators move to
achieve the right balance.
Everybody moves. Not just one person. The movement is
done in a way that maintains the structure of the Senate. A fresher does not
just sit where a senior senator was. The arrangement is reshuffled in a way
that ensures order and respects seniority.
This is a routine adjustment that happens all the
time. It is not a new practice. It is not targeted at any one person. It is
simply how the Senate works.
“Senator Natasha Refused to Move and Caused a
Disruption”
On that day, Senator Natasha was asked to move to a
new seat. Instead of complying, she refused. That, in itself, was already an
issue because every other senator understands that seating changes happen
regularly.
But what followed was even more concerning. She became
uncontrollable, raising her voice, shouting, “I am not scared of you!” We all
saw the video. That display was completely uncalled for.
At that moment, it was no longer about a seat—it was
about discipline, order, and respect for the institution. If every senator
decided to resist a simple procedural adjustment in that manner, the Senate
would be ungovernable.
“The Senate Followed Due Process”
After that incident, the Senate Committee on Ethics
invited her for a disciplinary hearing. That is the proper procedure. The
committee heard from those who were present that day, and all agreed that she
had acted in an unruly manner. The report that was submitted was clear—her
conduct on the floor was unacceptable, and she should be suspended.
I personally reached out to her during this process. I
sent her messages because, as a lawyer, I know that before any judgment is
passed, a person must be given an opportunity to state their case.
I asked her:
“Are you prepared to apologize so that I can speak on
your behalf? Ask that you be given the opportunity to apologize.”
She responded that she did no wrong.
That didn’t stop me. I told her directly: You are
wrong. I watched the video. I saw what happened. The report before us was not
about any sexual harassment claim—it was strictly about her disorderly conduct.
Misogyny Is Not the Issue—Disorderly Conduct Is
Some voices are trying to frame this as an attack on
women in politics. That is a manipulation of the truth. Nigeria has many strong
female leaders who have made their mark through discipline, strategic
engagement, and respect for institutional processes. The Senate is not and has
never been against women.
However, no lawmaker—man or woman—is above the rules
of the chamber. The issue here is not gender; it is the expectation that all
Senators must conduct themselves with decorum and respect for the institution
they serve. The rules of engagement apply equally to all members, and when a
Senator repeatedly flouts those rules, there must be consequences.
“The Allegations of Sexual Harassment Were Never
Before the Senate”
One thing that must be made clear is that the Senate
did not deliberate on any sexual harassment allegations. That matter is before
the courts, and the courts will decide.
It is highly unlikely that she will win such a case,
because the alleged incident supposedly happened over a year ago. She had
multiple opportunities to report it to the Senate, the police, or any
authority, yet she did not.
Even after this alleged incident, she traveled
multiple times with the Senate President for international events,
well-documented online. She was in the same spaces as him, attended meetings
with him, and was often with her husband during these trips.
To now come forward and narrow these allegations to a
particular day, a particular time—when her husband was within range, when other
people were present, when the Senate President’s wife was in the family
house—raises serious questions. It is highly unlikely that such discussions
would take place in such a setting.
The Senate Must Uphold Discipline and Order
The Senate is not a chaotic town hall where emotions
dictate decisions. There are clear procedures for addressing grievances,
presenting petitions, and debating national issues. Senator Natasha was not
sanctioned for submitting a petition—she was sanctioned for her behavior on the
Senate floor.
If we allow sentiments to override discipline, the
Senate will become ungovernable. This is not about suppressing opposition or
silencing voices; it is about maintaining the dignity of the institution and
ensuring that every member adheres to the same standards of conduct.
“Exploiting Feminine Sentiments for Political Gain”
It is disingenuous to claim that this is a case of
gender-based suppression when the facts point to a different reality. The real
danger is allowing the rules to be bent simply because a particular lawmaker
chooses to play the victim card when confronted with the consequences of their
actions.
Leadership comes with responsibility. Every Senator,
regardless of gender, must conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the
integrity of the Red Chamber. If we start excusing unruly behavior because of
gender, then we are setting a dangerous precedent where rules become optional
based on emotional appeal.
“The Role of Her Husband in This Escalation”
I was also deeply disappointed by the reaction of her
husband. I had expected him to find a way to de-escalate the matter, to prevent
it from becoming a full-blown crisis.
When he sent me his statement and reaction, I told him
exactly how I felt. If my wife were in such a situation, I would do everything
possible to resolve the issue privately, to manage it in a way that does not
cause further division.
It is even more surprising because her husband has
been friends with the Senate President long before he married Natasha. This
could have been settled without this level of unnecessary public drama.
Conclusion: The Senate Must Stand Firm
The Senate must not bow to emotional blackmail or
social media outrage fueled by half-truths. Nigeria’s democracy thrives when
its institutions are strong, disciplined, and governed by rules—not when they
are manipulated to serve personal or partisan interests.
We must ensure that the principles of accountability,
order, and respect remain the guiding forces of our legislative process. This
is not about silencing anyone; it is about ensuring that the Senate remains a
place of reasoned debate, not theatrical disruptions.
Senator (Prince) Ned Munir Nwoko
Senator, Delta North
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