The candidate recounted how his mother, wife, and other supporters escorted him to the polling station on election day, where he cast his ballot and was, at the very least, certain that his mother and wife did the same. However, he received a zero in the polling unit at the conclusion of the exercise. He was shocked to learn that he was certain he had voted for himself even if his mother, wife, and supporters had not done so. So how did he receive a zero? The question remained unanswered. The shenanigans in our electoral system included that.
The shameful spectacle between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the entire chambers on the one hand, and the senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District on the other, is the most recent in the terrible series. It all started in March when Senator Natasha was suspended for six months by her peers for allegedly breaking Senate rules following a dispute over seat arrangements with the Senate President, whom she accused of sexual impropriety. Akpabio refuted this accusation.
On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, Senator Natasha attempted to resume Senate proceedings, armed with the orders of Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, which ruled that her six-month suspension violated Section 63 of the 1999 Constitution, which required senators to participate in legislative sittings for a minimum number of days annually. However, security personnel prevented her from entering the chamber, claiming they were acting on an order from above. Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, explained the decision by stating that due procedure must be followed even in the event of a court ruling.
The National Assembly Complex became a confusing scene because of the insistence on the so-called due process. The House of Representatives members who jumped the fence to enter the National Assembly in November 2014 to thwart a scheme to remove then-Speaker Aminu Tambuwal—later elected governor and senator of Sokoto State—were the closest thing to Tuesday’s display of shame. On that particular occasion, the lawmakers rebelled against the government’s executive branch, which was embarrassed by Tambuwal’s election as speaker and sought to reverse it. That might be interpreted as legislators protecting the legislature’s independence and integrity.
However, the events surrounding the Akpabio-Natasha scandal do not come close to safeguarding the legislature. Instead, it is an insult to the rule of law, which is democracy’s foundation! Strong intellectual exchange for progress and good governance is what democracy is all about. Diverse opinions are valued in democracies; people with different beliefs and inclinations are accepted and used to advance the system. While democracy allows people to express their opinions within the bounds of the law, it does not ensure excellence or even competent administration. These systemic principles are never more complex than in the legislative.
The executive is a branch of the military or monarchy. The judiciary, in whatever form, does the same. Legislators are seen as genuine representatives of the people since a system can only be considered democratic if its legislature is active and committed to its duties. The Constitution’s Section 47, which states that “there shall be a National Assembly for the Federation, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives,” is not there for nothing. Lawmaking, representation, and appropriation are just a few of the many constitutionally granted powers granted to the National Assembly. In addition, it has the authority to approve treaties, look into the executive branch, remove judges and executive branch officials from office, and settle complaints from constituents.
The legislature is therefore burdened with a great deal of responsibility. The issue, though, is that Nigeria’s legislature is unaware of its responsibilities or the authority it has to stabilize the nation. That clarifies the events surrounding the shameful Akpabio-Natasha scandal. It speaks volumes about the caliber and character of those in charge of the affairs of more than 200 million Nigerians that members of the upper legislative chambers would decide to engage in this bare dance of shame during a period of severe economic crisis and choking security challenges exhibited in terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and other crimes. This shame could not continue.
It is regrettable and extremely disheartening that Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, who gained notoriety for reviving infrastructure during his tenure as governor of Akwa Ibom state, is heeding the incorrect counsel from those in his immediate vicinity when it comes to managing the Natasha scandal. What would it cost him and his fellow senatorial clowns to swallow their pride and let their elected colleague, who was not appointed, reclaim her seat and return to her legislative duties? Where would the nation end up as a result of all this pointless cockiness?
What does Akpabio want to prove—that he needs to get what he wants? Does he ever consider what his name, “Godswill,” truly means and what it means to be the Senate President today? Does God intend for him to take a tough-guy approach to the Natasha issue? The fact that he is not taking note of the recent events that followed the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari is regrettable. Where were the jesters who cheered for Buhari when he visited Nigerians and caused them immense suffering while he was being ridiculed and demonized in death? Ironically, some of the people and organizations that Buhari believed he had contained and subdued went on to live and tell their tales after surviving him.
It is time for the Senate President to get off his high horse over the Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan situation, according to anyone with ears and true concern for him. His actions make sense when compared to a guy and wife fighting. The world will dismiss the man as a coward who only finds strength in beating women, even if he does beat her. He will be called a weakling if the woman dominates him. The man loses whether he wins or loses. In case Akpabio is unaware, that is what is happening to him.
