Senate President Godswill Akpabio has warned critics to refrain from making uninformed statements about the operations of the Upper Legislative Chamber, urging the public to familiarize themselves with parliamentary rules before commenting on legislative matters.
Akpabio made these remarks while receiving a delegation from the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum in Abuja.
His comments came after the recent suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from Kogi for violating Senate rules, a decision which Akpabio emphasized had the unanimous support of fellow lawmakers.
Read Also: How Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Lied Against Me – Senate Leader Bamidele
Addressing the rise in uninformed commentary on television and social media, Akpabio stated, “Those who lack an understanding of Senate procedures are the ones commenting on matters they don’t fully understand. People should seek the facts before making public statements. We urge the public to stop misrepresenting the rules of the Senate.”
He also criticized outsiders attempting to interpret Senate rules, drawing a comparison to a herbalist misquoting the Bible or someone unfamiliar with Islam trying to interpret the Qur’an.
In response to concerns raised by Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr, leader of the delegation, Akpabio emphasized the historical importance of his position as Senate President, noting that it had been 46 years since the Niger Delta region last held the position.
“The Senate President represents not only himself but a region vital to the country’s economic survival. We will not take this position lightly, regardless of any opposition tactics,” he said.
Akpabio dismissed efforts to undermine his leadership, attributing some of the criticism to political mischief from individuals who, he claimed, lacked a proper understanding of Senate procedures.
The delegation, led by Lokpobiri, also expressed concern over the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, warning that it could destabilize the entire Niger Delta region if left unresolved.
They also requested Senate intervention on several regional projects, including the Coastal Road project, the Maritime University in Oron, which has yet to begin operations, and the extension of the Warri-Itakpe rail line to Abuja.
The Senate President assured the delegation that Niger Delta Senators would work to resolve the Rivers State crisis and pledged to push for progress on the requested regional projects.
He reassured them that their concerns were noted and said, “We will continue working towards solutions that bring peace and development to the Niger Delta.”
The meeting ended with the delegation reaffirming their strong support for Akpabio’s leadership, underscoring the Senate’s role in addressing both national and regional concerns through legislative efforts.
Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2
