• Warns against ‘Banana Republic’ narrative
• Ezekwesili, ADC task Senate, Akpabio, Nigerians on Kogi senator’s resumption
• Say denial may further hinder women’s political participation

The Senate has said that it would not bow to public pressure or sentiment in the standoff over Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, declaring that any matter before the courts is off-limits, even as criticism mounts over her blocked return to the chamber of the senator.

Spokesman of the Upper Chamber, Yemi Adaramodu, speaking during a capacity-building workshop for parliamentary correspondents, themed: ‘Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities’, yesterday, stated: “Standing Order 40 (1) says any matter that is in court shall not be entertained. Our Standing Orders are constitutional—Section 60 empowers each House to regulate its own procedure. Rules are rules. If you are supposed to sit in seat number 10 and you take seat number 13, you will not be recognised. But often times, the public interprets such procedures as if the parliament is a Banana Republic.”

Adaramodu urged parliamentary correspondents to close the knowledge gap between lawmakers and the public, warning that sensational or sloppy reporting can inflame tensions, distort legislative intent, as well as portray the National Assembly as lawless.

He, however, cautioned reporters to resist partisan pressure and sensational headlines, reminding them of Section 22 of the Constitution, which entrusts the press with the “sacred” duty of fair and responsible oversight.

However, the Founder, School of Politics, Policy and Governance, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, has charged the Senate to recall Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan without delay and cease from its scandalous misappropriation of public office powers to break laws and breach Nigeria’s Constitution. She also urged Nigerians to unify their voices and take a collective stand against the continuing constitutional assault, which, according to her, had been ongoing for six months.

RELATEDLY, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the continued obstruction of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return to the Senate, describing it as abusive and a flagrant affront on Nigeria’s democratic values.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party accused the Senate leadership of defying both legal precedent and moral responsibility by refusing to allow the Kogi Central lawmaker to resume her duties after serving a six-month suspension.

The ADC further warned that the ongoing blockade reflects a broader APC-led government’s anti-democratic temper that has sought to silence opposition voices and punish dissent. It said that singling out Akpoti-Uduaghan for such harsh treatment might further suppress women’s political participation.