IDNN Politics & Governance Desk
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has drawn a firm line on parliamentary discipline, declaring that Nigeria’s 10th Senate “cannot and will not be held hostage by the disruptive instincts of any of its members.”
In a statement titled “The Trials and Triumphs of a Resilient Nigeria’s 10th Senate” and issued by his media aide Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio said enforcing Senate rules is not about silencing dissent but protecting the institution’s moral and procedural foundations.
“The discipline of parliamentary conduct is a universal marker of political civilisation,” Akpabio stated. “In the UK House of Commons, the authority of the Speaker is absolute and unchallenged. No member, regardless of party or popularity, may openly defy that authority without consequence.”
The comment followed his recent disagreement with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central), who returned from a six-month suspension and continues to contest its legality.
Akpabio argued that strong institutions—not strong individuals—remain the hallmark of democracy. He maintained that the Senate’s Standing Orders are “not ceremonial relics from the past but a living constitution of legislative fairness and consistency.”
Parliament Under Pressure
The 10th Senate has faced a series of internal tensions since its inauguration in June 2023, balancing executive expectations with the push for legislative independence. Akpabio’s latest defence comes amid accusations of heavy-handedness in handling dissent, especially from opposition senators.
Analysts say the statement signals his intent to assert control and stabilise the chamber ahead of heated budget and constitutional review sessions.
LEGISLATIVE POWER BOX
🔹 10th Senate faces 12 disciplinary petitions since June 2023
🔹 Three members under ethics committee review
🔹 Constitution review process set to resume November 2025
🔹 Public confidence in National Assembly stands at 48% — latest IDNN poll
SOVEREIGNTY PULSE
Akpabio’s defiant tone re-centres the Senate within Nigeria’s balance of power, projecting discipline as a form of sovereignty. By framing order as a democratic virtue, he positions the legislature as a guardian of stability rather than a forum for spectacle.
The message also doubles as a warning to executive and public critics alike—that the upper chamber intends to preserve its authority even under mounting populist pressure.
WINNERS – LOSERS – WATCHZONE
🏆 Winners: Senate leadership asserting institutional discipline.
💥 Losers: Unruly lawmakers and populist disruptors.
👁 WatchZone: Ethics Committee proceedings, upcoming constitutional amendments, public sentiment tracking.
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