Nigeria’s Hunger Crisis Deepens Amid Food Waste Surge as Court Overturns Akpoti’s Senate Suspension in Tinubu’s Troubled Economy
Abuja, Nigeria — July 7, 2025
As millions of Nigerians face extreme hunger despite a nationwide surplus of wasted food, inflation and record food prices continue to devastate households under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Meanwhile, political tensions in the Senate have intensified following a court ruling in favor of suspended lawmaker Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended in March 2025 after a public confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has now had her suspension nullified by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice Nyako ruled that while the Senate has constitutional authority to discipline its members, it cannot do so in ways that strip constituents of their democratic right to representation. The judge criticized Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act and Chapter Eight of the Senate Standing Rules for being excessively broad and lacking time-bound limitations on suspensions.
“The court is not denying the Senate’s right to discipline its members,” Justice Nyako ruled. “However, such sanctions must be reasonable and must not undermine the constitutional rights of citizens to be represented in parliament.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended after alleging during a televised interview that Senate President Akpabio had targeted her for allegedly rejecting his sexual advances—an accusation Akpabio strongly denied. In retaliation, she filed a lawsuit (FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025) challenging the legality of her suspension.
In her ruling, Justice Nyako also dismissed Akpabio’s claim that the matter was a strictly internal legislative issue beyond the court’s jurisdiction, affirming the court’s right to intervene.
However, the court also fined Akpoti-Uduaghan ₦5 million for violating a previous order restricting public commentary on the case. The fine was related to a satirical Facebook post made on April 27. She was ordered to issue a formal apology in two national newspapers and on her social media platform within seven days.
In a related judgment, the court upheld Akpabio’s decision to deny her the floor during a Senate session, noting she had not been seated at the time.
Despite the mixed ruling, Akpoti-Uduaghan has vowed to return to the Senate on Tuesday. In a video shared widely across social media, she appeared with supporters, thanking them and announcing, “I’m glad we are victorious today. We shall resume at the Senate on Tuesday.”
Meanwhile, the Senate has stated that it will not act on the ruling until it receives and reviews the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment. “Pending receipt and examination of the CTC, and acting on the advice of counsel, the Senate shall refrain from taking any steps that may prejudice its legal position,” read a Senate statement.
The ruling comes as Nigeria faces one of its worst economic crises in decades. The rising cost of food, paired with alarming levels of food waste, has sparked nationwide concern. Critics argue that Tinubu’s economic policies have failed to stabilize inflation, leaving vulnerable Nigerians starving despite abundant resources.
With the Senate locked in legal and political battles, and Nigerians struggling to afford basic meals, public frustration with leadership continues to grow.
