Senate President Godswill Akpabio has issued a stern warning to critics against making uninformed comments on the affairs of the Senate, urging the public to familiarize themselves with parliamentary rules before engaging in debates.
Akpabio gave this warning when he received a delegation from the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum in Abuja.
His caution comes in the wake of the recent suspension of Kogi Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for violating Senate rules, a decision Akpabio emphasized was unanimously supported by lawmakers. The Senate President expressed concern over the growing trend of uninformed commentaries on television and social media, stating that individuals who lack understanding of Senate procedures are often the ones commenting on matters they know little about.
“You should seek the facts before making public statements. We advise members of the public to stop misquoting the rules of the Senate,” Akpabio said.
He also criticized those outside the legislature for attempting to interpret Senate procedures, likening it to a herbalist trying to quote the Bible or someone unfamiliar with Islamic teachings attempting to interpret the Qur’an. Akpabio stressed the importance of accurate information and urged the public to refrain from spreading misinformation about the Senate’s operations.