Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding a first-time senator’s decision to take her grievance to court, Monday Ubani, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Special Adviser on Legal Matters to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has weighed in with a call for dialogue and political maturity.
Speaking in an interview aired by TVC, Ubani emphasized the importance of resolving legislative conflicts through internal mechanisms rather than protracted legal battles.
The unnamed senator, whose decision to pursue legal redress has drawn public attention, reportedly rejected a proposed route of political reconciliation, opting instead to press ahead with litigation.
While Ubani acknowledged her constitutional right to do so, he expressed concern that the approach, though legal, may not be the most constructive path forward in the politically sensitive environment of the National Assembly.
“She is a first-timer in the Senate,” Ubani remarked during the interview. “When situations like this arise, and an option is presented to apologize and move on, many have taken that path in the past.
It has happened to several senators, and they embraced the route of reconciliation. But if she chooses not to, it is within her right.”
Ubani’s comments underscore the delicate balance between the rule of law and the informal, often unwritten, codes that govern political relationships in Nigeria’s legislative chambers.
According to him, while no one can legally prevent the senator from pursuing her case to its conclusion, wisdom often lies in exploring avenues that protect political capital and avoid unnecessary hostility.
He explained that many disputes within the legislative space could be quietly and effectively resolved if experienced leaders and party elders intervened early enough. “There are certain issues that do not need to be dragged through the courts,” he noted. “When leaders or elders sit everyone down and ask, ‘What exactly is the matter?’ such conflicts can often be settled on a round table. Before you know it, everyone shakes hands and moves on.”
Ubani’s remarks reflect a broader concern within the political establishment about the increasing tendency for lawmakers to resort to litigation over disputes that have traditionally been handled through party structures, informal negotiations, or internal disciplinary measures.
Though the specifics of the senator’s case remain under wraps, the situation has sparked debate within political and legal circles over the best ways to manage intra-legislative disagreements especially when they involve newcomers still trying to find their footing in the complex dynamics of national politics.
For Ubani, a veteran legal practitioner and adviser in one of the Senate’s highest offices, the message is clear: legal options should not be dismissed, but they should often be the last resort after all conciliatory measures have failed. “It’s not about whether she can take the matter to court, she can,” he said. “But is that the best way to resolve this issue? Would it help in maintaining relationships that are crucial for her political future? These are the questions that must be asked.”
His comments also hint at concerns that prolonged litigation may not only isolate the senator politically but also distract from legislative responsibilities and strain the already delicate balance within the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
As the case progresses, it remains to be seen whether the senator in question will reconsider her position in light of appeals from within the political class, or whether she will continue to pursue a full legal resolution.
