Social activist and former Nigerian senator, Shehu Sani, has cautioned lawmakers about the risks of exposing internal Senate affairs, recalling his own near suspension for revealing senators’ salaries and allowances.
His statement comes in the wake of the Senate’s controversial decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months following her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, had filed a petition against Akpabio, accusing him of blocking her motions after she rejected his alleged sexual advances.
The Senate Ethics Committee, however, dismissed her petition, citing procedural violations, and recommended her suspension for bringing the Senate into disrepute.
Also the punishment includes withholding her salaries, allowances, and legislative aides’ payments, as well as locking her office.
Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate, reflected on his own experience, warning that any senator who speaks out against internal matters risks political isolation.
“When I publicly disclosed the salaries and allowances of the Senators, it nearly earned me a six-month suspension if not for Divine Intervention, Saraki and Ekwerenmadu’s immediate rescue,” Sani stated.
He further emphasised the consequences of exposing sensitive Senate affairs, saying, “Just know that if you are there and you blow whistle too loudly, you will be ‘On your Own,’ no senator will bring him head or neck to support you.”
