The National Secretary of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), High Chief Peter Ameh, has criticised the Senate for refusing to allow Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to resume duties after the expiration of her six-month suspension, warning that the action risks pushing Nigeria toward a one-party system.
Speaking in Abuja, Ameh said the decision of the National Assembly to block Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return undermines constitutional democracy and deprives the people of Kogi Central of representation. He accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of using legislative authority to settle personal scores.
“It is embarrassing that our democracy is being hijacked by those who do not understand its core values—freedom of expression and the right of every constituency to be represented,” Ameh said. “The Senate President and every Senator are equals under the Constitution. To use the authority of the chamber to settle personal scores is a dangerous abuse of power.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, was suspended on March 6 for alleged gross misconduct. She wrote to the Clerk of the National Assembly on September 4, stating that her suspension had lapsed. However, Acting Clerk Dr. Yahaya Danzaria replied that the matter remained before the Court of Appeal and that no administrative action could be taken until the court concluded its process.
Ameh said the Senate’s position disregards the fact that the suspension had a definite timeline. He faulted the judiciary for not giving a timely ruling, which he said has allowed the suspension to continue indefinitely. “The courts are enabling tutelary tyranny by refusing to set a strong precedent against the suspension of elected lawmakers by their peers,” he added.
The IPAC Secretary also linked the development to wider concerns about shrinking democratic space, pointing to reports of opposition rallies being disrupted in Lagos and Kebbi States. “The APC is afraid of 2027 because Nigerians have rejected them. If they truly believe they can win, why attack opposition parties in Lagos and Kebbi? The ballot will be a referendum on their leadership, and the people will resist any attempt to suppress opposition voices,” Ameh stated.
He called on the Senate to immediately reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan, warning that keeping constituencies without representation sets a dangerous precedent. “Our democracy is not served when a whole senatorial district is silenced because of political disagreements within the chamber,” he said.
Ameh’s remarks add to mounting criticism from civil society groups and opposition parties who argue that prolonged suspensions erode democratic governance and weaken public trust in Nigeria’s institutions.
