Hundreds of protesters, comprising youths, women, and leaders of civil society organisations, who stormed the National Assembly complex on Wednesday in Abuja, cautioned against bowing to emotional blackmail or social media outrage fueled by false or half-truth narratives.

The protesters, who gathered under the auspices of the National Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (NACOCSO), expressed displeasure over the current impasse between the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

They urged all Nigerians to support the Senate in its efforts to maintain order and discipline and to reject any attempts to exploit emotional blackmail or social media outrage to undermine Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

Speaking on behalf of NACOCSO, Comr. Adebayo Lion Ogorry noted that the legislative chamber is not a battleground for personal grievances or emotional outbursts but a place of order, debate, and democratic principles. He added that 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.

“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to comply with a routine seating arrangement change in the Senate, engaging in disorderly conduct and violating the decorum expected of lawmakers.

“The Senate Committee on Ethics invited her for a disciplinary hearing, where she was found guilty of unruly behaviour and sanctioned accordingly.

“We condemn Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions, which have brought disrepute to the Senate and undermined the democratic process.

“Her refusal to comply with the seating arrangement change and her subsequent behaviour demonstrated a blatant disregard for the rules and institutions of our democracy.

“It is crystal clear that what was before the Senate was not her petition against the Senate President but her conduct on the floor of the Senate, which violated the decorum expected of lawmakers.

“We are aware that the reshuffling of seats in the Senate is a regular routine that happens all the time, and it is always done in a way that ensures order and pays respect to seniority.

“The issue has nothing to do with gender-based suppression when the facts point to something completely different. The rules of the Senate cannot be bent just because a particular lawmaker chooses to play the victim card when confronted with the consequences of her actions.

“Every Senator, regardless of gender, must conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the integrity of the Red Chamber. We cannot start excusing unruly behaviour because of gender—if we do, then we are setting a dangerous precedent where rules become optional based on emotional appeal.”