by Chaos erupted in the Senate chambers this morning as Senate President Godswill Akpabio ordered Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central to leave the chamber.
The confrontation arose after Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno reported that Senator Natasha had refused to move to her newly assigned seat. He explained that the reassignment was necessary to fill gaps left by two opposition senators who defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Quoting Order 24, Monguno asserted his authority as Chief Whip and cited Order 6, which empowers the Senate President to reassign seats at any time. He also emphasized that senators must speak from their designated seats, justifying Akpabio’s decision to deny recognition to Natasha for speaking from an unassigned position.
However, Senator Natasha rose from her original seat and attempted to invoke Order 10, arguing that her privileges had been violated. In response, Akpabio ruled her out of order, stating that she could not be recognized while speaking from an unauthorized seat.
Frustrated, Natasha accused Akpabio of deliberately silencing her and preventing her from contributing to Senate motions. She also alleged that her bills had been consistently blocked from advancing to the second reading.
She defiantly stated that she would not be sidelined and that the worst Akpabio could do was suspend her. Natasha emphasized that even if suspended, she would continue serving the people of Kogi Central and advocating for women in Nigeria.
Natasha further accused Akpabio of discrimination, claiming he had maligned and dehumanized her.
“I am not afraid of you,” she told Akpabio. “Do whatever you deem fit, but I will not leave this seat. My voice will not be silenced.”
She challenged Akpabio’s authority to suspend her, emphasizing that she was a duly elected lawmaker representing her constituency.
Normalcy was eventually restored after some senators intervened to defuse the tension between them.
This is not the first time Akpabio and Senator Natasha have clashed in the Senate chambers.
Watch a clip from their latest confrontation below;
Watch the video below;
See reactions below;
freddie_upgrade: Akpabio is the worst senate president in the history of Nigeria.
chimaobieze : As a leader, avoid trouble with women, whether you are right or wrong, they will blame you.
faithcutiee22 : What does this man has against Natasha? This is not the 1st time he is embarrassing this woman.
tharealnita : This is not the first time he is disrespecting women.
freda.ovi: WETIN BE AKPABIO PROBLEM WITH NATASHA???
bigemporioamani: Akpabio’s leadership as Senate President has been a disaster one of the worst ever. He seems clueless about how the law works. This is a major problem with the APC: they prioritize power over legal knowledge and governance.
