The Spokesperson of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, has dismissed what he described as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “skit-making” attempt to return to the Red Chamber, declaring that the upper legislative house is focused on serious national issues, not political drama.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Adaramodu stressed that the National Assembly would not permit what he called “content creation” or “season film production” within its chambers. He maintained that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan remains suspended until a definitive court ruling says otherwise.
“We are not actors we are lawmakers,” Adaramodu stated. “The National Assembly has more important responsibilities than producing season films.”
Adaramodu clarified that the recent Federal High Court ruling on the matter did not nullify the suspension or declare it unconstitutional. According to him, the judgment only directed the senator to apologise and pay a ₦5 million fine, a decision she has appealed.
“It is baffling that someone would appeal a court order and still try to enforce it as if it were final,” he said. “The court did not make a pronouncement declaring the suspension illegal or unconstitutional.”
He argued that the judgment contained only opinions, not enforceable judicial orders on the validity of the suspension. He cited Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Rule Book, affirming that the Senate acted within its powers to discipline its members.
“In my opinion,” he emphasized, “opinions are not orders. The court did not order her reinstatement. It only gave an opinion that the Senate may have acted excessively but that’s not binding.”
Reiterating the Senate’s authority, Adaramodu insisted that unless the court issues a specific directive voiding the suspension, the decision remains in effect. He noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan would not be granted access to the chamber or allowed to resume legislative duties until the Senate reviews her case or a court compels otherwise.
“Our chamber is sacred. No amount of placard-carrying mobs or political theatrics will change our stance,” he added, referencing the senator’s controversial return to the National Assembly complex accompanied by supporters.
He warned against turning legislative issues into public spectacles, stressing that the matter is not personal to the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, but is governed by institutional processes and constitutional provisions.
“There is nothing personal between the Senate President and Senator Natasha,” he said. “This is about the institution of the Senate and our internal rules, not individual sentiments.”
Adaramodu concluded by calling on Nigerians to focus on more pressing issues such as constitutional amendments and electoral reforms, assuring the public that the Senate is committed to its legislative mandate rather than political distractions.
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