Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of being vindictive and intolerant of opposition.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Effiong said Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, “doesn’t forgive” and “will go to any extent to trample on the rights of people.”
He linked the Senate’s refusal to allow Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to resume to what he described as Akpabio’s intolerance.
Effiong faulted the six-month suspension handed to Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, describing it as unjust and politically motivated. He argued that her constituents had been denied effective representation.
The Senate had earlier rejected Akpoti-Uduaghan’s request to return to her legislative duties, insisting that her suspension, which took effect on March 6, 2025, remains in force pending the outcome of her case at the Court of Appeal.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended following allegations of insubordination after she refused to change her designated seat during plenary. The National Assembly said no administrative action would be taken until the court delivers its verdict.
He said: “Akpabio is from my state, don’t forget he was governor of my state for eight years. That is why some of us keep reminding Nigerians that we know the antecedent of this man. It’s true he doesn’t forgive. He doesn’t have a forgiving spirit. I can tell you, he’s very vindictive. And I can also tell you that this is a man that will go to any extent to trample on the rights of people. I will tell you that I will stand by that. He doesn’t understand opposition. You don’t oppose Akpabio and get away with it. So that’s what is happening to Natasha now.
“This has gone beyond seat location, because, in the first place, why are you suspending somebody for six months for presumably, or purportedly taking a wrong seat? It does not make sense. For six months that the people of Kogi Central District who voted for her, they have not had representation. They have not had an opportunity for her to raise matters of international importance. She may not have not had an opportunity for her to sponsor a bill to support her constituents. She has not been able to communicate the grievances of her consistency to the Senate. You have basically denied them representation.”
