By Henry Umoru

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Reparation and Repatriation, Senator Ned Nwoko, APC, Delta North, has urged the Senate to stand firm following the suspension of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, PDP, Kogi Central.

According to Senator Nwoko, the Senate must not bow to what he described as emotional blackmail or social media outrage fueled by half-truths, just as he said that Nigeria’s democracy thrives when its institutions are strong, disciplined, and governed by rules, not when they are manipulated to serve personal or partisan interests.

In a statement on Sunday regarding the crisis in the Senate between Natasha, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio and, by extension, the Upper Chamber, Senator Nwoko, who noted that he was not happy with the reaction of Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, Natasha’s husband, said that he had expected him to find a way to de-escalate the matter to prevent it from becoming a full-blown crisis.

According to him, when Uduaghan sent his statement and reaction, he told him exactly how he felt, saying, “I was also deeply disappointed by her husband’s reaction. I had expected him to find a way to de-escalate the matter to prevent it from becoming a full-blown crisis.

“When he sent me his statement and reaction, I told him exactly how I felt. If my wife were in such a situation, I would do everything possible to resolve the issue privately and manage it in a way that does not cause further division.

“It is even more surprising because her husband has been friends with the Senate President long before he married Natasha. This could have been settled without this level of unnecessary public drama.”

Senator Nwoko noted that the Senate is not a chaotic town hall where emotions dictate decisions. There are clear procedures for addressing grievances, presenting petitions, and debating national issues.

He said, “The Senate is not a chaotic town hall where emotions dictate decisions. Clear procedures exist for addressing grievances, presenting petitions, and debating national issues. Senator Natasha was not sanctioned for submitting a petition — she was sanctioned for her behavior on the Senate floor.

“If we allow sentiments to override discipline, the Senate will become ungovernable. This is not about suppressing opposition or silencing voices but about maintaining the institution’s dignity and ensuring that every member adheres to the same standards of conduct.

“The Senate must not bow to emotional blackmail or social media outrage fueled by half-truths. Nigeria’s democracy thrives when its institutions are strong, disciplined, and governed by rules — not when they are manipulated to serve personal or partisan interests.





https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/03/natashagate-senate-must-not-bow-to-emotional-blackmail-ned-nwoko/