The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has cautioned individuals unfamiliar with the workings of the Senate to refrain from making uninformed public commentary on legislative matters.
Akpabio issued this warning late Friday night while receiving a delegation from the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum, which paid him a solidarity visit in Abuja.
His remarks come in response to criticism surrounding the recent suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for violating Senate rules.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was on Thursday suspended for six months by the Senate over alleged misconduct and breach of relevant standing orders. She however said the suspension which she described as an injustice would not be sustained.
Responding to comments by the leader of the delegation, Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr, about the rarity of a Niger Deltan holding the position of Senate President, Akpabio reaffirmed the region’s commitment to maintaining the role.
“The Senate President of today is not representing himself alone. He is representing a people who are crucial to the economic lifeline of this country,” Akpabio said.
He criticised what he described as external interference in Senate matters, suggesting that individuals unfamiliar with legislative processes were being misled.
“I hear voices from Adamawa shouting, I hear voices from Kwara shouting, I hear some young people from the Southwest being used for something they don’t understand. They don’t know the rules of the Senate,” he said.
“You can’t be a herbalist and start quoting the Bible. You won’t know what to quote. If you haven’t studied Christianity, you cannot claim to know the Bible more than the Pope. The same applies to the Quran. But some people, like football commentators, sit down and say, ‘Ronaldo should have come from the left to score’ or ‘If you were Messi, you would have kicked from the centre.’ They do the same on television when discussing Senate matters,” Akpabio added.
He explained that understanding the legislative process requires direct involvement, noting that newly elected legislators receive a Red Book (for the Senate) or a Green Book (for the House of Representatives), which contains the Standing Orders that guide lawmaking, discipline, and decorum. “When people are not informed about procedures and begin to debate provisions they don’t know, it worries me. However, we have internal mechanisms to settle our issues, and we will continue to do so,” he said.
Earlier, the President of the Ijaw Youth Council expressed concern over recent Senate developments, pledging the full support of the Niger Delta people for Akpabio’s leadership. He also sought the Senate President’s intervention in the looming crisis in Rivers State, warning that it could escalate beyond the state and affect the entire Niger Delta region if not addressed. He further raised concerns over key development projects, including the Coastal Road Project, the yet-to-take-off Maritime University in Oron, and the extension of the Warri-Itakpe rail line to Abuja.
In response, Akpabio assured the delegation that he and other Niger Delta senators would look into the Rivers State crisis and explore ways to restore peace. “We will do our best to ensure that all concerns brought forward are properly addressed,” Akpabio assured.
