By Eshioleh Abu
The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate is not just an isolated incident but a glaring symptom of a deeper malaise, a Senate that has lost its moral compass and become a cult of self serving men.
I observed the proceedings on the floor of the Senate yesterday, I couldn’t help but marveled at the sheer efficiency displayed by these the men in the Natasha debacle. It was masterclass in legislative alacrity. If only the same vigour and lightning-fast decisiveness were applied to the thousands of corruption cases languishing in the dusty drawers of various National Assembly committees, Nigeria might just have been transformed into a utopia by now.
But alas, no. It seems the energy reserved for silencing dissent and executing what can only be described as one of the most farcical parliamentary procedures ever witnessed by mankind is curiously absent when it comes to tackling graft. Ninety eight percent of those corruption cases, you ask? … are tucked away safely, like buried treasure, never to see the light of day, let alone the scrutiny of justice. It is almost poetic, really. The same men who can mobilise with military precision to suspend a colleague for daring to express her frustration suddenly develop a chronic case of amnesia when faced with the rot within their own ranks.
I couldn’t help but ponder, is this truly the same National Assembly that once stood resolute, like a fortress, denying a former president his audacious bid for a third term, despite the mountains of naira that allegedly flung their way to sway their resolve? It is almost laughable, really, when you consider how far we have fallen, or rather, how spectacularly we have regressed.
Nearly two decades have passed since that defining moment, when Senator Ken Nnamani’s National Assembly, like a band of valiant knights, dismantled a scheme that would have poisoned the very lifeblood of our democracy. One might have assumed that by now, Nigeria’s legislative chambers would have evolved into a bastion of accountability, a theatre of vibrant debate and principled action in the nation’s interest. Alas, what we are saddled with today is a far cry from that noble vision.
Instead, we are treated to a pantomime of “vibrancy”, not in the service of the people, mind you, but in the art of silencing dissent. The National Assembly has become a stage where the script is written by those who wield the gavel, and the actors deliver their lines with all the sincerity of a used-car salesman. Here, loyalty is measured not by one’s commitment to the nation, but by one’s willingness to genuflect before the powers that be.
What we have today is not a legislature; it is a glorified boys’ club, where the gavel is less a symbol of authority and more a weapon to bludgeon opposition. The once-hallowed halls of the National Assembly now echo with the hollow sound of lip service, as lawmakers trip over themselves to curry favour with the one who holds the gavel. It is a spectacle so absurd, so utterly farcical, that even the most seasoned satirist would struggle to do it justice.
History has shown over and over again, that one of the greatest threats to democracy is the leaving power in the hands of individuals who have no life outside of politics. These are men (and women) who see politics not as a means to serve but as an end in itself, a lucrative career, a source of power, and a tool for self-preservation. For them, politics is not a calling; it is a cult. And when they rise to power, they will stop at nothing to protect their interests, even if it means dismantling the very institutions that uphold democracy.
This is what transpired on the floor of the Senate before the very eyes of the global community. The decision to suspend a fellow senator, who was democratically elected by her constituents, for a period of six months, undermines the credibility of the Senate and raises serious concerns about the state of governance in the country. By implication, her constituency is effectively disenfranchised, depriving them of representation for half a year, as a result of a personal dispute between two senators.
How on earth does a man accused of turning public office for personal gains not only preside over the very allegations against him but also orchestrate their dismissal, all while maintaining a straight face? It is as if the fox has been put in charge of the henhouse, and the hens are expected to applaud.
Like a friend asked: “Isn’t suspicious that not a single senator stands up for Natasha, not even any of her colleagues from PDP? Is she that bad mannered? The parliament should be the symbol of plurality in a democracy. The emerging group think syndrome under the guise cooperation is disturbing.”
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, is a sacrificial lamb in this charade. Her suspension, ostensibly for breaking Senate rules, is a thinly veiled attempt to punish her for daring to speak out her inner battles. Her allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio, though met with deafening silence and outright hostility, have exposed the rot within the Senate.
Like a lamb led to the slaughter, Natasha has been abandoned by her colleagues, including women who should have stood in solidarity with her. Instead, they chose silence, perhaps out of fear, perhaps out of complicity. As the Bible says in Proverbs 31:8-9, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Yet, in this Senate, the powerful are defended, and the truth-tellers are crucified.
It was a spectacle of sheer absurdity to witness Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia State, sitting there in stunned silence as his colleagues launched verbal onslaught against Natasha. Kalu, a man with daughters of his own, must have been wondering how his fellow “gentlemen” could stoop so low in their treatment of a woman, all in the desperate pursuit of currying favour with the Senate President.
I can bet with my life that, if Natasha had been the one wielding the gavel, these very same men would have fell over themselves to abandon Akpabio and pledge their undying loyalty to her. Such is the farcical nature of political allegiance, where loyalty is traded like a cheap commodity, even if it means selling out the very nation they swore to serve.
The Akpabio led Senate handling of Natasha’s petition is a masterclass in injustice. First, her petition was dismissed on the flimsy grounds that it was not signed by another person. Yes, it is the rule but how
does one who experienced harassment procure a witness signature in a chamber dominated by the accused? When she resubmitted the petition, signed by a constituent, the Senate responded not with an investigation but with a six month suspension. This is not justice; it is tyranny. The Ethics and Privileges Committee, chaired by Neda Imasuen, has shown blatant bias. The committee, designed to ensure fairness, has become a tool for the majority to crush dissent.
Senator Shehu Sani’s revelation on Facebook sheds light on the culture of fear that pervades the Senate. He recounted how disclosing the salaries and allowances of senators nearly earned him a six-month suspension. His words ring true: “If you blow the whistle too loudly, you will be on your own.” This is not a Senate that values transparency or accountability. It is a cult of business men. They speak in one voice, not for the people, but for themselves. As the adage goes, “When the fox guards the henhouse, the chickens are doomed.”
Dayo Williams, a writer, rightly points out that Natasha’s suspension is disproportionate to her alleged offence. A warning or a short suspension would have sufficed. Instead, she has been handed a six-month sentence, a clear attempt to intimidate and silence her. Even more damning is the fact that no member of the opposition, not even her own party, the PDP, rose to her defence. This is not just a failure of leadership; it is a betrayal of the very principles of democracy. The Senate, dominated by men, has become a boys’ club where loyalty to the powerful clouds loyalty to the people.
Voice of Bello Buhari’s poignant commentary captures the essence of this tragedy. Natasha, a woman standing firm in a male-dominated arena, has been subjected to vindictiveness and discrimination since she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment. Her motions on critical issues like the Ajaokuta Steel Complex have been undermined, her seat arbitrarily relocated, and her petitions dismissed. When she finally found the courage to speak up, the Senate responded not with empathy or justice but with mockery and suspension. The very man she accused presided over her punishment, turning the chamber into a kangaroo court. This is not democracy; it is despotism dressed in democratic garb.
The Senate’s treatment of Natasha sets a dangerous precedent. It sends a chilling message to women across Nigeria: speak up, and you will be silenced. Challenge the powerful, and you will be crushed. This is not the Nigeria we aspire to. A nation that silences its daughters cannot claim to be just or democratic. As the Bible warns in Isaiah 59:14, “So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter.” The Senate, under Akpabio, has become a place where justice is driven back, truth is trampled, and honesty is banished.
But let us not lose hope. History has a way of remembering those who stand for truth, no matter the cost. Natasha’s courage will not be in vain. The whirlwind is coming, and those who have sown injustice will reap the consequences. As Nigerians, we must rise above the culture of silence and complicity. We must continue to demand for accountability and stand with those who dare to speak truth to power. Today, it is Natasha; tomorrow, it could be anyone.
In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Let us bend that arc together. Nigerians must stand with Natasha and all those who fight for justice, fairness, and equity. Let us reclaim our Senate, our democracy, and our nation.
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