By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The Nigerian Senate has resolved to refer an opposition senator to its disciplinary committee following an altercation between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) and Senate President Godswill Akpabio last week.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, elected on the platform of the minority Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), raised concerns during plenary after her seat was changed without prior notice.
The Senate leadership recommended that she face the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions to uphold parliamentary decorum and adherence to established rules. The committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun, has been directed to investigate allegations of “unruly behaviour” and submit its findings within two weeks.
Senate Leadership’s Position
Raising a motion under Senate Orders 1(b) and 10, Senate spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu condemned what he described as Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “extreme intransigence” during the February 20 plenary session.
He noted that the controversy had dominated media discussions, forcing him to work on repairing public perception of the 10th Senate.
“The Senate is not a platform for content creation but a place for lawmaking and oversight functions,” Adaramodu stated, urging the leadership to enforce discipline.
“Where there is sin, there must be a penalty,” he added.
Backing Adaramodu’s stance, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele reaffirmed the chamber’s commitment to maintaining order and integrity. He dismissed claims that the dispute stemmed from gender bias, pointing out that other senior senators had accepted seat changes without protest.
Akpabio’s Ruling
In his ruling on Tuesday, Akpabio directed the Ethics Committee to conduct a thorough review of the incident and report back to the chamber.
The former governor of oil-rich Akwa Ibom State emphasised that while senators are free to sit anywhere, they must contribute from their designated seats.
He suggested that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s unfamiliarity with Senate procedures may have contributed to the altercation.
“The first day she was sworn in, she stood up to contribute, and I was worried if she had even read the rule book. There is nothing wrong with being vibrant, but everything wrong with disobeying procedure,” Akpabio said.
He further recommended an orientation for the Kogi senator, who was reinstated to the Senate following an Appeal Court ruling that declared her the winner of a 2023 election.
