Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that the National Assembly will not be held hostage by what he described as the “disruptive instincts” of any of its members, stressing that discipline and respect for parliamentary rules are essential to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.

Akpabio made the statement through his media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, on Saturday in a release titled “The Trials and Triumphs of a Resilient Nigeria’s 10th Senate.”

He maintained that the enforcement of legislative rules was not intended to silence dissent but to preserve order, integrity, and the institutional authority of the Senate.

“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 stated.

Though he did not mention any lawmaker by name, his remarks come amid growing attention around Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central), who recently returned from a six-month suspension that remains the subject of controversy.

Akpabio described discipline in parliamentary conduct as a universal hallmark of mature democracies, noting that the Nigerian Senate aligns with legislative traditions in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

“In the UK’s House of Commons, the Speaker’s authority is absolute. No member, regardless of party or popularity, may defy the Speaker’s ruling without consequences,” he said.

He emphasised that the Senate’s Standing Orders are not outdated or ceremonial but serve as a living framework for ensuring fairness, consistency, and institutional integrity.

“The Standing Orders are the living constitution of the institution, designed to safeguard the sanctity of the legislative process,” he added.

Akpabio defended the chamber’s right to discipline erring members, citing examples from advanced democracies where lawmakers face suspension or expulsion for violating parliamentary norms.

“In respected parliaments worldwide, members who flout rules face swift consequences. Nigeria’s Senate has every right to apply similar standards,” he said.

Describing the 10th Senate as “a chamber of resilience and balance,” Akpabio said the current leadership is committed to maintaining order while allowing constructive debate.

“When the chamber asserts that it will not be held hostage by the disruptive instincts of any member, it affirms collective responsibility over individual grandstanding. Strong legislatures endure not by silencing dissent, but by ensuring that dissent respects procedure,” he stated.

The Senate President also described his leadership style as one rooted in firmness and inclusion, noting that the upper chamber must remain a stabilising force amid rising populism and public scepticism.

“Leadership of this sort does not seek applause; it seeks stability. By upholding its Standing Orders, the Senate reclaims its moral authority and proves that rules, properly enforced, are not tools of oppression but shields against institutional decay,” Akpabio said.

His remarks come amid renewed debate about legislative discipline and the limits of free expression within Nigeria’s parliamentary system.

Akpabio: Senate Won’t Be Held Hostage by Disruptive Members

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