Senate Clash: Akpabio Criticizes ‘Court-Declared’ Lawmakers as Kogi Senator Files N100 Billion Lawsuit
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has sparked controversy by suggesting that lawmakers who reclaimed their seats through the courts are contributing to disorder in the upper legislative chamber.
His remarks came on Tuesday as he announced disciplinary action against Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following a heated exchange over seat reallocation during plenary.
On February 20, Akpoti-Uduaghan disrupted Senate proceedings by refusing her newly assigned seat, defying Akpabio’s orders, and persistently raising a point of order despite being overruled.
Addressing the altercation on February 25, Akpabio attributed the incident to a lack of understanding of Senate procedures and ordered periodic orientation sessions for senators—particularly those who assumed office midterm.
“I think part of the problem is when people come from court… court-declared senators; they missed the orientation,” Akpabio said.
He further recalled Akpoti-Uduaghan’s eagerness upon entering the Senate, noting that she had attempted to speak immediately after being sworn in.
“On the day she was sworn in, she raised her hand to speak. I was scared, but I had to recognize her,” Akpabio stated. “There is nothing wrong with being vibrant, but there is a lot wrong when you don’t know anything about the procedure.”
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken legal action, filing a ₦100 billion defamation lawsuit against Akpabio and his legislative aide, Mfon Patrick.
The suit, filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, alleges that Akpabio and his aide made defamatory remarks against the Kogi senator. She demands a public apology and a retraction published in a national newspaper.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Senate journey has been tumultuous. Initially, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Kogi Central senatorial election winner in February 2023.
Challenging the outcome, Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, filed a petition citing electoral irregularities. The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal ruled in her favour, nullifying Sadiku-Ohere’s victory. The Court of Appeal later affirmed her as the rightful winner, leading to her swearing-in in November 2023.
As tensions escalate, the clash between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan highlights the growing friction between political factions in the Senate. Whether the lawsuit and disciplinary proceedings will further widen the divide remains to be seen.
