The All Progressives Congress (APC) Media Network has taken note of the recent threat by the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajero, to mobilize workers against the Senate over the suspension of Senator Akpoti Natasha. We find this threat to be unwarranted, misguided, and a blatant attempt to undermine the democratic institutions in Nigeria.
The issue at hand is a matter of utmost gravity, as it involves the internal workings of the Senate and the judicial process. Senator Akpoti Natasha was suspended by the Senate on account of her flagrant breach of the Standing Orders of the Senate, which led to litigation at the Federal High Court. The Federal High Court subsequently delivered a judgment, ordering her to publish an apology letter to the Senate in two national newspapers and pay N5 million in damages to the federal government. Dissatisfied with the judgment, Senator Akpoti Natasha has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, which is still pending. It is, therefore, astonishing that the NLC would threaten to mobilize workers against the Senate when the matter is sub judice. Or is the Labour President trying to overrule the court of appeal?
We find it embarrassing that Senator Akpoti Natasha, a lawyer, could exhibit ignorance of and disregard for the principle of sub judice.
The NLC’s threat is not only an affront to the sanctity of the judiciary but also an attempt to intimidate the Senate into disregarding the rule of law. This is a recipe for chaos and anarchy, and we cannot afford to allow such tendencies to thrive in our democracy.
The Labour movement should focus on issues that affect the welfare of workers, rather than dabbling in matters that are outside its mandate.
We recall that the NLC, under Comrade Joe Ajero’s leadership, has a history of getting involved in issues that are not within its purview. The invasion of the Labour Party’s national secretariat and the challenge to Governor Hope Uzodinma’s reelection bid in Imo State are cases in point. These actions demonstrate a pattern of recklessness and a disregard for the rule of law.
Can the NLC President tell us how the Senate’s insistence on strict adherence to the rule of law and respect for the judicial process tantamount to attack on democracy?
Nigerians have not forgotten how the suspended Senator was moving from one media house to another to spread false allegations of sexual harassment and plot to assassinate her against the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The non-representation of the Kogi West Senatorial District in the Senate cannot only be blamed on its elected representative who has chosen to wage a senseless and fruitless war against the Senate as an institution and demonstrated flagrant disregard for the rule of law and the judicial process.
In the circumstances, she has an option of withdrawing her appeal at the Court of Appeal and complying with the judgment of the Federal High Court and properly seeking her resumption or sticking to her appeal at the Court of Appeal and be prepared to respect the principle of sub judice and desist from sponsoring threats against the Senate.
We urge the NLC to refrain from making threats against the Senate and instead focus on issues that affect the welfare of Nigerian workers. The APC Media Network calls on all Nigerians to reject any attempt to undermine our democratic institutions and to uphold the rule of law.
We commend the leadership of the Senate for upholding the institution’s integrity and the sanctity of the rule of law and respect for the judicial process.
Otuekong Iniobong John
Director General
All Progressives Congress Media Network
September 12,2025