CurrentReport Blog The recent suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate has sparked a wave of debate across the country, with many arguing that the move is gender-biased. However, Aliyu Bello, the Nasarawa State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has come forward to defend the decision, asserting that the suspension aligns with the Senate’s long-standing legislative procedures. According to Bello, the action should not be viewed through the lens of gender bias but rather as an upholding of the rules and regulations that govern the Senate’s functioning.
What Led to the Suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan?
On Thursday, the Nigerian Senate upheld the recommendation of its Ethics Committee to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months. This decision was made after the Kogi Central lawmaker submitted a petition alleging sexual harassment by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. However, the Ethics Committee dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims on procedural grounds, stating that her actions had caused ridicule to the Senate, and therefore, her conduct was deemed to have breached the body’s standards.
This led to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, sparking heated discussions across the political landscape. Critics, particularly those sympathetic to the Senator, have accused the Senate of unfairly targeting a female lawmaker and argued that the suspension is part of a broader pattern of gender discrimination.
Aliyu Bello’s Response: Upholding Senate Rules, Not Gender Discrimination
In a strongly-worded opinion piece titled “Akpabio, Natasha, and Senate: A Question of Rules, Not Gender,” Aliyu Bello came out in defense of the Senate’s decision. He explained that the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is not a reflection of gender bias but rather a necessary step to maintain order within the Senate. According to Bello, the Senate has a well-established history of suspending lawmakers—both male and female—who violate its rules, and there is no reason why Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case should be treated differently.
Bello pointed to previous instances where male lawmakers faced similar disciplinary actions. Notably, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (APC, Delta Central) was suspended for 90 days in 2018, and Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) was also suspended in 2023 due to allegations of budget padding. Both suspensions were carried out in accordance with the Senate’s rules and were not framed as acts of gender discrimination.
“The Nigerian Senate has a well-documented history of suspending members—male and female—who breach its rules,” Bello stated. “Why, then, should Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case be framed differently?”
The Importance of Gender-Neutral Legislative Discipline
One of the key arguments made by Aliyu Bello in his defense of the Senate’s action is that the Senate’s disciplinary mechanisms are gender-neutral. He emphasized that the institution prioritizes integrity, order, and the enforcement of rules over personal identity. According to Bello, portraying Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension as a case of gender marginalization risks undermining the broader struggle for gender equality.
Bello urged those advocating for gender equality to focus on systemic barriers that women face in society and politics, rather than isolating individual incidents that may not necessarily have gender-related motives. He explained that the Senate’s actions in this instance should be viewed as part of the broader effort to uphold the integrity of the legislative process and the rule of law.
A Unified Senate Decision
Another important point that Bello made was that the decision to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan was supported by all members of the Senate, including those from her own party. In a body of 109 lawmakers, no senator opposed the suspension, further emphasizing that the move was not politically motivated but a response to the actions of a member that were deemed inappropriate.
This unity in the Senate underlines the importance of maintaining parliamentary decorum and enforcing the rules consistently, regardless of the gender or political affiliation of the lawmaker in question. Bello called on Nigerians to respect the Senate’s decision, acknowledging that while the issue may be controversial, the priority must remain on upholding legislative discipline.
The Debate Continues
The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has generated a significant amount of debate, particularly among her supporters who are calling for a review of the decision. They argue that the claims of sexual harassment she raised were serious and should not be dismissed lightly. However, supporters of the Senate’s position, including Aliyu Bello, insist that disciplinary actions must be enforced uniformly and without bias to preserve the integrity of the legislative process.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it is clear that the case will remain a point of contention, with many questioning the balance between upholding institutional order and ensuring that all allegations are fairly investigated. Ultimately, the debate around the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan highlights the ongoing discussions about gender equality in Nigerian politics and the need for fair and transparent processes within the country’s legislative bodies.
Aliyu Bello’s defense of the Senate’s suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan reflects a commitment to legislative discipline and procedural integrity. While the case has sparked debate about gender bias, it is clear that the Senate’s actions align with its established rules for disciplining lawmakers. As the discussion continues, it will be important to consider the broader issues of gender equality and the need for a fair, transparent political system in Nigeria.
