The Nigerian Senate witnessed a dramatic scene on Tuesday as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central engaged in a heated confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the reassignment of her seat without prior notice.
During the plenary session, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan raised concerns about the sudden change in her seat allocation, prompting a swift response from Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Ali Monguno, who cited a point of order against her protest. Senate President Akpabio upheld Monguno’s objection, refusing to allow Akpoti-Uduaghan to speak on the matter.
Undeterred, the Kogi Central senator continued to insist on addressing the issue, leading Akpabio to instruct the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort her out of the chamber. The situation escalated further when her microphone was switched off, effectively silencing her protest.
Senate President Akpabio later attempted to downplay the incident, attributing the seat reassignment to an oversight by contractors who recently renovated the Senate chamber. He offered an apology on their behalf.
This confrontation marks the latest in a series of tensions between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate leadership. In July 2024, Akpabio had apologized to her after making a controversial remark comparing the Senate’s decision-making process to that of a nightclub, a comment widely seen as dismissive of her concerns.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been a vocal figure in the Senate, often challenging policies and decisions she believes undermine her role and the interests of her constituents. The latest incident underscores ongoing power struggles and divisions within the legislative body.
As reactions continue to trail the commotion, political observers are keenly watching how this dispute will impact future proceedings in the Senate.
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