President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has stated that the Red Chamber will not allow itself to be held hostage by the “disruptive instincts” of any lawmaker. He emphasized that the Senate must uphold discipline and respect for institutional rules to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, titled “The Trials and Triumphs of a Resilient Nigeria’s 10th Senate,” Akpabio stressed that enforcing the Senate’s rules is essential for maintaining order, not an attempt to stifle dissenting voices.
“The Senate cannot and will not be held hostage by the disruptive instincts of any of its members. Democracy thrives only when its institutions are respected and its rules upheld,” Akpabio said.
Although he did not name any specific lawmaker, the Senate President’s remarks follow the return of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central), who recently resumed duties after a six-month suspension — a development that has stirred renewed tensions in the chamber.
Akpabio underscored that discipline within parliamentary conduct is not unique to Nigeria, but a defining feature of legislatures in mature democracies such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
“The discipline of parliamentary conduct is a universal marker of political civilisation. In the UK’s House of Commons, the authority of the Speaker is absolute and unchallenged. No member, regardless of party or popularity, may openly defy the Speaker’s ruling without consequences,” he said.
He argued that Nigeria’s legislative rules, contained in the Senate Standing Orders, are not symbolic documents but living instruments designed to ensure consistency, fairness, and the sanctity of legislative processes.
“The Nigerian Senate’s Standing Orders are not ceremonial relics from the past. They are the living constitution of the institution,” he noted.
The Senate President defended the power of the legislature to discipline members who violate established procedures, pointing out that even in the most respected parliaments, lawmakers face suspension or expulsion when they undermine institutional dignity.
“In the world’s most respected parliaments, members who flout rules face swift consequences. Nigeria’s Senate has every right to apply similar standards,” Akpabio added.
He described the 10th Senate as a “chamber of resilience and balance,” committed to maintaining unity and order, even amid internal turbulence.
“When the chamber asserts that it will not be held hostage by the disruptive instincts of any single member, it is affirming the primacy of collective responsibility over individual grandstanding,” he said.
According to Akpabio, true leadership within a democracy is not about seeking applause, but about ensuring stability and upholding constitutional order.
“Leadership of this sort does not seek applause; it seeks stability. By upholding its Standing Orders, the Senate has reclaimed its moral authority,” he said.
He concluded that dissent is a natural part of democratic systems, but it must operate within the boundaries of respect, procedure, and responsibility.
“The real measure of a democratic institution is how it handles internal turbulence. When the Senate insists that rules must be followed, it is not acting out of pride but out of duty. Every time the Senate enforces its Standing Orders, it sends a message that Nigeria’s democracy is strong enough to discipline itself,” the statement said.
The remarks come at a time when the 10th National Assembly is navigating several internal disputes and growing scrutiny from the public.
