…Akpabio Intervenes to Prevent Suspension
The Senate descended into a rowdy and dramatic session during plenary after a heated exchange between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) over the unauthorized relocation of her seat.
The commotion nearly disrupted proceedings, with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan refusing to comply with the seat change, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules, which protects members’ privileges.
Trouble started when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan entered the chamber and discovered her nameplate missing from her usual seat. Outraged, she raised her voice in protest, demanding an explanation.
As the plenary commenced, Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), raised a point of order, alerting Akpabio to what he described as Natasha’s “improper seating position.”
Before Monguno could conclude his statement, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan forcefully interrupted, demanding to know why her seat was changed without her consent, leading to a heated back-and-forth.
As voices rose and tempers flared, Akpabio ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort her out of the chamber, warning that she could face suspension if she refused to remain silent.
“Can the Sergeant-at-Arms please take her out of the Senate?” Akpabio ordered.
Her microphone was switched off as security personnel attempted to remove her, but she resisted, raising her voice even louder.
Sensing the situation escalating, some senators intervened, urging calm. Senators from Kogi State, led by Senator Isah Jibrin (APC, Kogi East), pleaded for understanding, while Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) and others attempted to de-escalate tensions.
Reacting to the disruption, Akpabio likened the situation to South Africa’s Parliament, where opposition leader Julius Malema frequently faces calls to “sit down.”
Recalling a similar incident during his time in the 8th Senate, Akpabio noted that he too had protested a seat reassignment but had handled it without public confrontation.
“In the 8th Senate, my seat was changed without prior notice. I voiced my displeasure, but the matter was resolved internally,” he said.
He further suggested reverting to the old microphone system to prevent senators from speaking out of turn, sarcastically apologizing “on behalf of the contractor” for the issue.
As the session progressed, Senator Isah Jibrin cited Order 42 (personal explanations), apologizing on behalf of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and attributing the seat change to recent resignations and reassignments.
Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West) defended the seat reallocation process, criticizing Natasha’s reaction as unnecessary.
“When she came in, we extended an arm of friendship to her, we loved her too much. I don’t know why she turned the place upside down,” he said, urging her to apologize.
In the end, Senator Akpabio intervened, offering Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan a soft landing.
“Senator Karimi, I can see that you are very hurt. I just want to appeal to you to temper justice with mercy,” he said.
Emphasizing that seat reallocation is routine and governed by the Senate’s Standing Orders, Akpabio clarified that senators must speak from assigned seats but that changes are at the Senate President’s discretion.
“I want the public to understand that our proceedings are governed by rules and the Constitution,” he concluded.
