A mild drama unfolded in the Senate on Thursday as Senate President Godswill Akpabio ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) from the chamber.
The confrontation erupted after Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno reported that Senator Natasha had refused to relocate to a new seat assigned to her, following the defection of two opposition senators to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tensions Over Seat Reassignment
Monguno, citing Order 24 and Order 6, explained that the Senate President has the authority to reassign seats and that senators must speak from their designated positions.
Defying the directive, Senator Natasha stood up from her original seat, invoking Order 10 and arguing that her parliamentary privileges had been violated. However, Akpabio ruled her out of order, insisting that she could not speak from an unapproved seat.
Visibly frustrated, Senator Natasha accused Akpabio of deliberately suppressing her voice and stalling her legislative motions. She further alleged that her bills had been repeatedly blocked from advancing to the second reading.
“I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege,” she shouted at Akpabio.
She also accused the Senate President of discrimination, defamation, and dehumanization, stating that his language had been demeaning to women.
Akpabio Moves for Removal, Senators Intervene
In response, Akpabio ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove her from the chamber. However, some of her colleagues, including Senator Austin Akobundu, intervened, blocking any attempt to forcefully eject her.
Her two Kogi State colleagues also stepped in, condemning her actions and apologizing on her behalf. Senator Isa Jibrin, Chairman of the Kogi Senate Caucus, said:
"The recent movement of senators is attributable to the defection of Senator Ned Nwoko. The reaction of Senator Natasha is uncalled for, and I want to sincerely apologize to the Senate President and the entire Senate on her behalf."
As the confrontation escalated, Akpabio considered suspending Natasha, but several senators pleaded for calm and urged her to comply with the directive.
After a prolonged standoff, Senator Natasha eventually ceased her protest, allowing plenary proceedings to resume to normal.
