Akpabio defended sanctions against members’ ‘disturbing instincts’

Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the National Assembly would not give in to the “disturbing instincts” of its members, and stressed that maintaining discipline and adherence to parliamentary rules was critical to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.

Akpabio stated this in a statement issued on Saturday by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, entitled “Tests and Triumphs of Nigeria’s Resilient 10th Senate.”

He emphasized that the Senate’s insistence on enforcing the Standing Orders was not an attempt to suppress dissenting voices, but was an important step to maintain order and institutional integrity.

“The Senate cannot and will not be held hostage to the disruptive instincts of its members,” Akpabio said. “Democracy will only thrive if its institutions are respected and its rules are enforced.”

While he did not name any MPs, his comments came amid fresh controversy surrounding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central), who recently returned from a six-month suspension she publicly defied.

Akpabio argues that discipline in legislative behavior is a hallmark of any mature democracy, citing practices in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, where parliamentary authority is upheld.

“Parliamentary behavioral discipline is a universal marker of political civilization,” he said. “In the British House of Commons, the authority of the Speaker is absolute and inviolable. No member, regardless of popularity or party affiliation, may challenge the decisions of the Speaker of the House of Commons without any consequences.”

He emphasized that the Senate Rules of Procedure are not a symbolic relic, but rather basic rules designed to protect fairness, consistency and stability of the institution.

“The Rules of Procedure of the Nigerian Senate is the living constitution of the institution, carefully designed to maintain order and fairness in the legislative process,” explained Akpabio.

He defended the legislature’s right to sanction errant members, and noted that parliaments in leading democracies also impose suspensions or expulsions when members act in a way that undermines the dignity of parliament.

“In the world’s most respected legislative body, members who break the rules will face immediate consequences,” he said. “In the UK House of Commons, suspension or expulsion is not uncommon when a member’s actions threaten the integrity of parliament. The Nigerian Senate has the right to apply similar standards.”

Akpabio described the 10th Senate as “a space of resilience and balance,” stressing that its leadership remains committed to maintaining order while accommodating diverse opinions.

“When the assembly insists that they will not be held hostage to the disturbing tendencies of individuals, then they are affirming collective responsibility for personal hubris,” he said. “A strong legislative body will not survive by silencing dissent, but by ensuring that dissent operates within the bounds of the applicable process.”

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The Senate President added that his leadership philosophy prioritizes assertiveness and inclusion, and stressed that the upper chamber must serve as a stabilizing force amid rising populism and public disillusionment.

“This kind of leadership does not seek applause; it seeks stability,” Akpabio said. “By upholding the Standing Orders, the Senate has regained its moral authority and demonstrated that properly enforced rules are not a tool of oppression but a safeguard against institutional decay.”

His comments come amid a broader national conversation about the balance between freedom of expression and civility in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.