Senate President Godswill Akpabio has cautioned critics against making uninformed remarks about the affairs of the Upper Legislative Chamber, urging the public to familiarize themselves with parliamentary rules before engaging in debates.
He issued the warning while receiving a delegation from the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum in Abuja.
Akpabio’s statement comes in response to the recent suspension of Kogi Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for allegedly violating Senate rules—a decision he stressed was unanimously supported by lawmakers.
Expressing concern over the growing trend of uninformed commentaries on television and social media, Akpabio said, “People who have no understanding of Senate procedures are the ones running commentaries on matters they know nothing about. You should seek the facts before making public statements. We advise members of the public to stop misquoting the rules of the Senate.”
Akpabio also criticized outsiders attempting to interpret Senate procedures, comparing it to a herbalist quoting the Bible or someone unfamiliar with Islamic teachings trying to interpret the Qur’an.
In response to concerns raised by Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr., leader of the delegation, Akpabio emphasized the historic significance of his position as Senate President, noting that the Niger Delta had not held the role in 46 years.
“The Senate President does not represent himself alone; he represents a region that is crucial to the economic survival of this country. So, we will not toy with this position, regardless of any opposition maneuvering,” he said.
He dismissed attempts to undermine his leadership, attributing some criticisms to political mischief from people who, he claimed, lacked knowledge of Senate procedures.
The delegation, led by Lokpobiri, also expressed concern over the political crisis in Rivers State, warning that if left unchecked, it could escalate and destabilise the entire Niger Delta region.
They also sought Senate intervention on key regional projects, including the Coastal Road project; Maritime University in Oron, which is yet to commence operations as well as extending the Warri-Itakpe rail line to Abuja.
The Senate President assured the delegation that Senators from the Niger Delta would intervene in the Rivers State crisis to help restore stability. He also reaffirmed that the Coastal Road project had been addressed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and pledged to advocate for progress on other key regional projects.
Addressing the delegation’s concerns, Akpabio stated, “We will continue to work towards solutions that bring peace and development to the Niger Delta.”
The meeting reinforced the Niger Delta region’s strong support for Akpabio’s leadership and highlighted the Senate’s role in addressing both national and regional issues through legislative action.
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