A heated clash unfolded in the Senate on Thursday as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) refused to occupy her assigned seat, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules, which protects members’ privileges.
The standoff escalated when Senate President Godswill Akpabio called security to remove Akpoti-Uduaghan from the chamber. Unfazed, she retorted, “I’m not afraid of you,” as tensions flared, though fellow lawmakers intervened to prevent further escalation.
Addressing the incident on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South) criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions, stating the National Assembly is “not for content creation in entertainment” but for serious governance.
Adaramodu dismissed claims that Akpoti-Uduaghan was being sidelined or bullied, highlighting that despite being a first-time senator, she chairs three committees—an uncommon privilege. “You are entitled to only one committee as chairman, yet she oversees Foreign Affairs and NGOs,” he noted.
While discussions about potential disciplinary action continue, Senator Isah Jubril (Kogi State) has already issued an apology on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s behalf, seeking to ease tensions within the chamber.
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