A MILD drama erupted in the Senate on Thursday as Senate President Godswill Akpabio ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove Senator Natasha Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, from the chamber.
The drama started after a report by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno, who informed the Senate that Senator Natasha had refused to relocate to a new seat assigned to her.
Chief whip added that the reassignment was intended to close gaps left by two defecting opposition senators who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the minority party
Citing Order 24, Monguno highlighted his authority as Chief Whip and referenced Order 6, which grants the Senate President the power to reassign senators’ seats at any time.
He further noted that senators can only speak from their designated seats, reinforcing Akpabio’s authority to deny recognition to anyone speaking from an unassigned seat.
In defiance, Natasha stood from her original seat, attempting to invoke Order 10, arguing that her privileges had been violated.
However, Akpabio ruled her out of order, asserting that she could not be recognized while speaking from an unauthorized seat.
Visibly frustrated, Natasha accused Akpabio of intentionally suppressing her voice and preventing her from participating in legislative motions.
She alleged that her bills had been repeatedly blocked from advancing to the second reading.
Declaring that she would not be sidelined, Natasha insisted that the worst Akpabio could do was suspend her.
However, she vowed to continue serving the people of Kogi Central and advocating for Nigerian women, regardless of any suspension.
She further accused Akpabio of discrimination, defamation, and dehumanization, alleging that he had used language that demeaned women.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan protested the decision to relocate her seat, saying that she was being victimised and denied the right to represent the people of Kogi-Central, a development which forced Akpabio to order that she should be walked out of the chambers.
“I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege,” she shouted at the Senate President.
Her two colleagues from Kogi State intervened, condemning her behaviour and apologising on her behalf.
The Chairman of the Kogi Senate Caucus, Sen. Isa Jibrin, apologised to Akpabio. “The recent movement of the senators is attributable to the defection of Sen Ned Nwoko.
“The reaction of Natasha is uncalled for, and I want to sincerely apologise to the Senate President and to the entire Senate on behalf of Sen. Natasha”, he said. As the tension escalated, Akpabio was heard calling for order and considering a suspension.
However, several senators intervened, urging Natasha to remain calm.
Despite Akpabio’s directive, when the Sergeant-at-Arms attempted to approach Natasha, fellow senators including her neighbour Senator Austin Akobundu stepped in to prevent her forceful removal.
Other lawmakers also pleaded with Akpabio to de-escalate the situation.
After a prolonged standoff, Natasha eventually ceased her protest, and plenary proceedings resumed to normal.