Nigerian Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has cautioned critics against making uninformed remarks about the Upper Legislative Chamber, urging the public to understand parliamentary rules before engaging in debates.
Akpabio issued the warning when he received a delegation from the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum in Abuja.
His comments followed the recent suspension of Kogi Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for violating Senate rules, a decision that Akpabio emphasised 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.”
He also criticised those outside the legislature for attempting to interpret Senate procedures, likening it to a herbalist trying to quote the Bible or someone unfamiliar with Islamic teachings attempting to interpret the Qur’an.
Responding to concerns raised by Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr, leader of the delegation, Akpabio highlighted the historic significance of his role as Senate President, noting that the Niger Delta had last held the position 46 years ago.
“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 ensure stability. He also reaffirmed that the Coastal Road project had been addressed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and pledged to push for progress on other critical regional projects.
He assured them that their concerns were well noted. “We will continue to work towards solutions that bring peace and development to the Niger Delta,” Akpabio said.
The meeting reaffirmed the Niger Delta region’s strong support for Akpabio’s leadership, as well as the Senate’s role in addressing national and regional concerns through legislative engagement.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM VERILY NEWS
