Former All Progressives Congress presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba, has criticized the Nigerian Senate’s management of the ongoing controversy surrounding suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing the situation as unnecessarily dramatic.
In a social media post on his X account Tuesday, Garba argued that the Senate leadership should have handled the matter internally rather than creating circumstances that allow for what he termed “populist activism.”
The APC chieftain’s comments came in response to Tuesday’s events where Akpoti-Uduaghan was barred from entering the National Assembly complex by security operatives, despite a Federal High Court ruling ordering her return to legislative duties.
The suspended lawmaker had been handed a six-month suspension by the Senate following sexual harassment allegations she made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which generated significant controversy within the upper legislative chamber.
Justice Binta Nyako of the Abuja Federal High Court had ruled in favor of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal challenge against her suspension, ordering her immediate return to plenary sessions. However, the Senate leadership rejected the court’s decision, characterizing it as merely an advisory opinion, while Akpabio pursued an appeal of the judgment.
When the Kogi senator attempted to resume her legislative duties on Tuesday, security personnel at the National Assembly prevented her entry, citing instructions to deny her access to the complex.
Reacting to the unfolding drama, Garba expressed concern that the Senate’s approach was inadvertently boosting Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public profile and creating opportunities for political grandstanding.
“The Senate Leadership needs to stop the unnecessary dramatization of this Natasha saga. The hallowed chamber shouldn’t be allowed to give an opportunity for populist activism,” Garba wrote on his X platform.
The former presidential aspirant suggested that keeping the suspended senator within the legislative chamber would have been more appropriate than the current situation, which he believes has enhanced her appeal among the public.
“Containing her within the Chamber would’ve been better than allowing her populist appeal on the street,” he added, indicating his belief that the current handling of the matter has backfired politically for the Senate leadership.
