The National Secretary of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), High Chief Peter Ameh, has condemned the Senate for blocking the return of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan after the expiration of her six-month suspension, warning that the action undermines constitutional democracy and risks edging Nigeria toward a one-party state.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking in Abuja, Ameh argued that the Senate’s decision deprives the people of Kogi Central of representation and accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of abusing legislative authority for personal reasons.
“It is embarrassing that our democracy is being hijacked by those who do not understand its core values—freedom of expression and the right of every constituency to be represented,” Ameh said. “The Senate President and every Senator are equals under the Constitution. To use the authority of the chamber to settle personal scores is a dangerous abuse of power.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, was suspended on March 6 for alleged gross misconduct. On September 4, she wrote to the Clerk of the National Assembly, stating that her suspension had lapsed. But Acting Clerk Dr. Yahaya Danzaria replied that the matter was before the Court of Appeal and could not be administratively addressed until the court concluded its process.
Ameh faulted this stance, saying the suspension was time-bound and should not be extended by judicial delays. “The courts are enabling tutelary tyranny by refusing to set a strong precedent against the suspension of elected lawmakers by their peers,” he said.
The IPAC Secretary also linked the development to wider concerns about shrinking political space, citing recent disruptions of opposition rallies in Lagos and Kebbi States. “The APC is afraid of 2027 because Nigerians have rejected them. If they truly believe they can win, why attack opposition parties in Lagos and Kebbi? The ballot will be a referendum on their leadership, and the people will resist any attempt to suppress opposition voices,” he added.
Ameh called for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s immediate reinstatement, stressing that leaving a constituency unrepresented sets a dangerous precedent. “Our democracy is not served when a whole senatorial district is silenced because of political disagreements within the chamber,” he said.
His remarks add to mounting criticism from civil society groups and opposition parties, who argue that prolonged suspensions erode democratic governance and weaken public trust in Nigeria’s institutions.
