The Nigerian Senate witnessed a dramatic session on Thursday as tensions escalated between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over a controversial seat reassignment. The heated exchange, which disrupted plenary proceedings, saw Akpabio calling on security officers to eject the female senator from the chambers—a move that was ultimately thwarted by the intervention of fellow lawmakers.
Dispute Over Senate Seating Arrangement
Trouble began when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), arrived at the chambers and discovered that her nameplate was missing from her usual seat. Visibly disturbed, she immediately protested, demanding an explanation for the abrupt change in her seating arrangement.
As the session commenced, Senate Chief Whip Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North) raised a point of order, drawing the Senate President’s attention to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “improper sitting position.” Before Monguno could finish his statement, the Kogi senator interjected, defiantly questioning why her seat had been changed without prior consultation.
“I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege,” she fired at Akpabio, invoking Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules, which protects members’ privileges.
Akpabio Orders Natasha’s Removal Amid Rowdiness
Akpabio, clearly irritated by the disruption, ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the senator out of the chamber. “Can the Sergeant-at-Arms please take her out of the Senate?” he directed.
As security personnel approached, Akpoti-Uduaghan stood her ground, resisting efforts to be removed from the chamber. Her microphone was subsequently switched off to prevent further interruptions. The tension threatened to spiral out of control before the intervention of senior lawmakers.
Sensing the situation was deteriorating, senators from Kogi State, led by Isah Jibrin (APC, Kogi East), stepped in to de-escalate the confrontation. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) also urged calm, calling on Akpoti-Uduaghan to let peace prevail.
Akpabio Draws Comparisons to South African Parliament
Reacting to the uproar, Akpabio compared the scenario to South Africa’s National Assembly, where opposition leader Julius Malema is frequently embroiled in confrontations. He recalled a similar experience from his tenure in the 8th Senate when his seat was reassigned without prior notice.
“In the 8th Senate, my seat was changed without my knowledge. I expressed my concerns but handled it with decorum,” he noted, subtly reprimanding Akpoti-Uduaghan for her reaction.
Akpabio further suggested reverting to the previous microphone system to prevent senators from speaking out of turn, sarcastically apologizing “on behalf of the contractor” responsible for the setup.
Kogi Senators Apologize, Call for Peace
Following the intervention of fellow lawmakers, Senator Jibrin invoked Order 42, which allows members to offer personal explanations, and apologized on behalf of Akpoti-Uduaghan. Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West) also defended the seat reassignment process, arguing that the senator’s response was unwarranted.
“When she arrived, we welcomed her with open arms. We love her too much. I don’t understand why she caused such an uproar,” Karimi remarked, urging her to apologize for the disruption.
Akpabio Offers Soft Landing, Clarifies Seat Reallocation Rules
In an attempt to douse the tension, Akpabio appealed for leniency towards Akpoti-Uduaghan, urging his colleagues to “temper justice with mercy.” He further clarified that seat reallocation is a routine exercise within the Senate, dictated by its Standing Orders.
“I want the public to understand that our proceedings are governed by rules and the Constitution,” Akpabio stated, reiterating that senators must adhere to their designated seats as assigned by the Senate President.
With calm restored, the session proceeded without further disruptions, but the incident has sparked debates over procedural transparency and the dynamics of power play within Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber.
Implications for Senate Cohesion
This clash highlights underlying tensions within the Senate and the broader implications of leadership control in legislative processes. While seat reassignments may seem routine, the manner in which they are carried out can significantly impact camaraderie and order in the legislative body.
For Akpoti-Uduaghan, the episode underscores the challenges faced by opposition lawmakers in navigating the corridors of power. For Akpabio, it signals the need for more strategic conflict resolution mechanisms to prevent unnecessary distractions from critical legislative business.
As the dust settles, political analysts will be watching closely to see if this confrontation influences future engagements within the Red Chamber.
