Senate Spokesperson Claps Back at Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Over Seat Allocation Spat

The Nigerian Senate erupted in tension on Thursday as Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, clashed with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the reassignment of her seat.

The dispute stemmed from a recent seat reshuffle following the defection of some opposition members to the ruling party. Akpoti-Uduaghan, refusing to accept the change, invoked Order 10 of the Senate standing rules, insisting on the protection of her privileges.

“I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege,” she shouted at Akpabio, as tensions flared in the chamber.

The heated exchange escalated to the point where Akpabio directed the sergeant-at-arms to remove the Kogi senator from the chamber. However, some lawmakers intervened to calm the situation before it spiralled further.

Reacting to the incident during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions, dismissing her claims of being sidelined.

“The National Assembly is not for content creation or entertainment. It is for serious business,” Adaramodu remarked.

He also noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan, despite being a first-term senator, had already been assigned chairperson roles in three committees, including Foreign Affairs and NGOs.

“The rules entitle a senator to chair only one committee, yet she has multiple. How then is she being sidelined?” he questioned.

While the dramatic exchange stirred debates, Adaramodu emphasized that the matter would not be revisited, as fellow Kogi lawmaker Isah Jubril had already apologized on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s behalf.

“The Senate has accepted the apology, and we are moving on,” he stated.