Nasarawa APC chairman supports Senate’s suspension of Natasha-Uduaghan.
Aliyu Bello, the Nasarawa State chairman of All Progressive Congress(APC) has endorsed the Senate’s decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpti-Uduaghan for six months. He emphasized that the action adheres to legislative protocols and is not influenced by gender bias.
On Thursday, the Senate upheld the recommendation of its Ethics Committee to suspend the Kogi Central lawmaker following her petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.
The committee dismissed her allegations on procedural grounds, stating that her actions had brought disrepute to the upper chamber.
In an opinion article titled “Akpabio, Natasha, and Senate: A Question of Rules, Not Gender,”
Bello argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was based on legislative enforcement rather than discrimination. He cited previous cases of male senators facing similar disciplinary measures, including the 2018 suspension of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (APC, Delta Central) for 90 days and Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) over budget padding claims.
The Nigerian Senate has a well-documented history of suspending members—male and female—who breach its rules,
” The Nasarawa chairman stated. “Why, then, should Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case be framed differently?”
Additionally, he cautioned that linking her suspension to gender marginalization could undermine the seriousness of the issue.
He said “The Senate’s disciplinary mechanisms are gender-blind, prioritizing institutional integrity over individual identity.”
The Nasarawa chairman emphasized that in a Senate of 109 lawmakers, no member—including those from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s party—opposed the suspension. He maintained that enforcing parliamentary rules uniformly is key to maintaining order, urging advocates of gender equality to focus on systemic barriers rather than isolated cases.
The suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan has ignited widespread debate, with critics accusing the Senate of targeting a female lawmaker. However, Bello’s stance aligns with the Senate’s argument that disciplinary actions must be applied without bias.
The controversy surrounding the case is expected to continue, as supporters of Akpoti-Uduaghan demand a review of the decision, while others insist that legislative discipline must be upheld.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
