By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, has warned that Nigerians of different hues and persuasions will be united in their resolve to resist a one-party state and emasculation of opposition voices by some undemocratic forces.
The umbrella body of registered political parties in the country strongly condemned the decision of the Godswill Akpabio-led Senate to stop the Senator representing Kogi Central , Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming at the National Assembly at the expiration of her six months suspension.
The Source reports that following the expiry of the suspension slammed on her by her colleagues, Akpoti-Uduaghan return to her elective position has been blocked by the leadership of the Senate.
Citing a subsisting legal proceeding at the Appeal court as a major reason, the Clerk of the Senate, Dr Yahaya Dan Zaria insisted that the Kogi state Senator has to wait till the end of her legal battle with the Legislative body .
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan who was on March 6, 2025 controversially suspended over disagreements arising from sitting arrangements in the hallowed chamber, appealed an earlier verdict on one of her cases with Senate President.
“The matter, therefore, remains subjudice, and until the judicial process is concluded, and the Senate formerly reviews the suspension in the light of the court’s pronouncement ,no administrative action can be taken by this office to facilitate.your resumption .
“You will be duly notified of the Senate’s decision on the matter as soon as it is resolved”, the Senate Clerk responded to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s letter seeking to return.
But in a statement from its National Secretary High Chief Ameh on Tuesday, the IPAC accused the Senate of gross abuse of power, insisting that the move to continue keeping Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan away from her constitutionally assigned duty of representating her constituents amount to a violation of democratic principles and abuse of the constitution of Nigeria.
“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.
“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 case of abuse of power”, IPAC noted.
According to the body, it is now clear to all and sundry that the Senate President is using the instrumentalities of his office to persecute Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
IPAC, also, expressed deep concern and shock that the Judiciary has presented itself as a great enabler of the oppressive and repressive legislative excesses ongoing under the leadership of Akpabio .
IPAC, however, expressed the hope that the overwhelming majority of Nigerians are ready to defend the country’s hard earned democracy through a united opposition to any plans to undermine the system ahead of 2027 general elections.
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