Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged critics to refrain from making uninformed remarks about the affairs of the Upper Legislative Chamber, calling for a better understanding of parliamentary rules before engaging in public debates.
Akpabio made this statement while addressing a delegation from the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum in Abuja.
His comments come in the wake of the recent suspension of Kogi Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for breaching Senate rules—a decision Akpabio clarified was unanimously supported by lawmakers.
Expressing concern over the increasing prevalence of uninformed commentary on television and social media, Akpabio remarked, “Many of those discussing Senate matters lack a proper understanding of its procedures. We urge the public to seek accurate information before making statements and to avoid misrepresenting the rules of the Senate.”
The Senate President also criticised external attempts to interpret legislative processes, comparing such actions to a herbalist quoting the Bible or someone unfamiliar with Islamic teachings interpreting the Qur’an.
Senator Natasha had previously accused Akpabio of sexual harassment following a seat dispute in the Senate.
Addressing concerns raised by Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr., the leader of the delegation, Akpabio highlighted the historic importance of his position as Senate President, noting that it had been 46 years since the Niger Delta last held the role.
“The Senate President does not represent himself alone; he represents a region that is crucial to the economic survival of this country. So, we will not toy with this position, regardless of any opposition maneuvering,” he said.
He dismissed attempts to undermine his leadership, attributing some criticisms to political mischief from people who, he claimed, lacked knowledge of Senate procedures.
The delegation, led by Lokpobiri, also expressed concern over the political crisis in Rivers State, warning that if left unchecked, it could escalate and destabilise the entire Niger Delta region.
They also sought Senate intervention on key regional projects, including the Coastal Road project; Maritime University in Oron, which is yet to commence operations as well as extending the Warri-Itakpe rail line to Abuja.
The Senate President assured the delegation that Senators from the Niger Delta would intervene in the Rivers State crisis to ensure stability. He also reaffirmed that the Coastal Road project had been addressed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and pledged to push for progress on other critical regional projects.
He assured them that their concerns were well noted. “We will continue to work towards solutions that bring peace and development to the Niger Delta,” Akpabio said.
The meeting reaffirmed the Niger Delta region’s strong support for Akpabio’s leadership, as well as the Senate’s role in addressing national and regional concerns through legislative engagement.