The Nigerian Senate, once envisioned as a key pillar of democracy, has degenerated into an institution that serves the interests of a privileged few rather than the Nigerian people. Instead of being a beacon of legislative excellence, it has become a center for corruption, financial wastage, and political oppression. The recent illegal suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, despite her case being in court, is yet another glaring example of how the Senate operates with impunity, silencing opposition voices and disregarding due process.
The call to scrap the Senate is not new, and Omoyele Sowore has been one of its strongest advocates. He has repeatedly pointed out that the Nigerian Senate is nothing more than a political retirement home for former governors and corrupt politicians who manipulate the system to continue looting public resources. The cost of maintaining the Senate is astronomical, with senators earning outrageous salaries, allowances, and other benefits that are unjustifiable in a country where poverty, unemployment, and insecurity are at crisis levels. This financial burden on the nation’s economy only benefits the elite while ordinary Nigerians suffer.
Beyond the wasteful spending, the Senate has continuously failed to uphold democracy and the rule of law. The illegal suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is a clear violation of her rights and an abuse of legislative power. How can a senator be suspended while her case is still in court? This action exposes the Senate’s disregard for the judiciary and the democratic process. It also sets a dangerous precedent where legislators who refuse to bow to the whims of the ruling elite can be unlawfully removed without due process.
The Nigerian Senate has proven time and time again that it does not serve the people. Instead of focusing on enacting laws that would drive economic growth, improve healthcare, and tackle insecurity, it is more concerned with shielding corrupt politicians, silencing opposition, and rubber-stamping executive decisions. This lack of accountability makes it clear that the Senate is not only ineffective but also a hindrance to Nigeria’s democratic development.
Nigeria does not need a bicameral legislature. The House of Representatives can adequately perform legislative duties at a lower cost and with greater efficiency. Many successful democracies around the world operate with a single legislative chamber, proving that a Senate is not a necessity but a luxury that Nigeria cannot afford. Scrapping the Senate would save the country billions of naira and reduce the opportunities for corruption and political manipulation.
The illegal suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan further highlights why the Senate must go. It is an institution that thrives on impunity, disregards the rule of law, and serves only the interests of a corrupt political class. Nigerians must demand an end to this legislative charade. The time has come to restructure governance, cut down the cost of running government, and ensure that the people—not a handful of self-serving politicians—are at the center of democracy.
The Nigerian Senate has outlived its usefulness. It is time to scrap it and build a more accountable, transparent, and people-driven government.
-Ufezime Nelson Ubi
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