A civil rights lawyer and public affairs analyst, Barr Carl Umegboro has berated Nigeria’s lawmakers over their recurring suspension of fellow elected representatives which he said is gradually becoming a model in the nation’s democracy, describing it as reckless, obnoxious, vexatious, and ultra vires.

In a letter dated 20^th March, 2025 and addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, the eloquent lawyer frowned at the ongoing commotion in which a lawmaker representing Delta State in the red chamber, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was purportedly suspended for 6 months from her official duties.

The legal practitioner described the situation as the height of rascality, inanity, and mischief, arguing that an elected member of the parliament is a representative of his constituency, which means that any attempt to deprive her right to representation is an attack on the constituency itself, not on the member.

Barr Umegboro reasons that depriving a representative of a constituency of space and opportunity in the parliament is akin to removing the entire constituency from the country’s Constitution, which is unacceptable under any guise. Some excerpts of his letter read:

“I am constrained to write to you on the recurring rascality of suspending a duly elected representative of a constituency at the legislative chambers against the principle of democracy, and this is progressively becoming a pattern in the country despite its dangerous implications for the people being represented. Recently, a lawmaker representing Delta State in the senate, Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was purportedly suspended for 6 months from her official duties.

“….a duly elected representative of the people at the Parliament (Senate and House of Representatives) is wearing the shoes of the Constituency, and therefore not representing herself. Through a valid election, such a representative has become the eyes, ears, and mouth of the Constituency in decision-making at the parliament. Thus, to lockout or suspend her implies the exclusion of the entire Constituency being represented in the scheme of things in the parliament. This is not only horrible but an assault on democracy.

“It is invariably, inexplicable to deprive a Constituency recognized in the Constitution her right to participate in the government of the country it is part and parcel of. Emphatically, an elected lawmaker is more or less an armour bearer of the Constituency. And when such a representative is suspended, it is tantamount to excluding the entire Constituency from the parliament. This is the height of naivety and insensitivity.

“That being said, an elected lawmaker, however, for decorum and civility, may for a short time be suspended for hours or days not exceeding a week for record purposes, purely to serve the purpose of indictment for his constituency to take note for necessary actions. If the constituency finds the representative wanting, it is their discretion to move for her sanction or recall. Power belongs to the people; the whole idea of sovereignty. This must always be noted.

“Interestingly, courts have ruled against the suspension of elected representatives in the country but seemingly, the decisions didn’t sink deep into politicians’ ears even as it is a sensitive matter.

“For your attention, sir, only the very Constituency that nominated, or elected a representative can remove her from office as their representative, not other colleagues that represent their respective Constituencies. Every constituency in the country has an unrestricted right of representation in the parliament. This is the whole crux it is called the ‘National Assembly’ or ‘House of Assembly’ for various states of the federation”.

“The recurring nonchalant attitudes and arrogances every so often displayed in this regard, most times compel one to wonder about the goal of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies which serves the purpose of training, onboarding, and strengthening the legislature in pursuit of the ideals of democratic governance for best practice.

“Finally, it is my earnest craving and appeal that you dutifully reflect on this quagmire and accord it the needed attention through your good offices in the interest of our democracy. Otherwise, our democracy will continue to face serious threats if this anomaly is not arrested.”, Barr Umegboro stated.