By Okechukwu Nwanguma
The intervention of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against the brazen persecution of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Akpabio-led Nigerian Senate is timely, courageous, and necessary.
As RULAAC, we align fully with this principled stand because it is not just about one Senator; it is about defending Nigeria’s hard-earned democracy from the evil grip of autocratic, visionless, and self-serving kleptocrats.
For months, Nigerians have watched in disbelief as the Senate descended into legislative dictatorship- suspending a duly elected representative, ignoring valid court rulings, and clinging to shameless technicalities to perpetuate injustice. The people of Kogi Central have been denied their voice in the hallowed chambers, and by extension, every Nigerian has been reminded that our democracy is under siege.
Even more worrisome is the Senate’s vow to “stand on the mandate” of a president plagued by a legitimacy crisis, rather than on the people’s democratic and constitutional mandate. This is not statesmanship; it is servitude to an undemocratic and unpatriotic presidency, one that values loyalty to power over loyalty to the people. By choosing this path, the Senate has abandoned its constitutional role as a check on executive excess and instead become an accomplice in dismantling democracy.
The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, despite clear court pronouncements, is not only unconstitutional – it is an assault on the rule of law and a declaration of war on dissent. It is also a test-run for a broader authoritarian project as 2027 approaches: silence the few courageous voices in the legislature today, and silence the people tomorrow.
The NLC’s response to this outrage reminds us of labour’s historic role as the defender of the common good and the last line of resistance against tyranny. The Senate’s action is an attack on every Nigerian voter; to resist it is to defend the sovereignty of the people. RULAAC therefore welcomes the NLC’s unequivocal stance and affirms our commitment to joining forces with all pro-democracy movements, civil society, and citizens of conscience to halt this dangerous slide.
Nigeria cannot afford to be governed by leaders whose loyalty is to personal gain and external patronage rather than to the people they swore to serve. We must confront this creeping autocracy with unity, courage, and resolve. The time has come for Nigerians across divides – labour, civil society, students, professionals, and ordinary citizens – to speak with one voice: we will not surrender our democracy.
The choice before us is clear: either we resist the cannibalisation of our democracy today, or we wake up tomorrow enslaved by the whims of power-drunk politicians. RULAAC stands firmly with the NLC in saying: Enough is enough.
Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC)
