ABUJA: Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday, ordered security personnel to intervene during a heated disagreement involving Kogi Central Senatorial District lawmaker, Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over her seating arrangement during the plenary session.
The confrontation began when Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), refused to sit in the seat allocated to her, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules, which protect the privileges of lawmakers. The situation quickly became tense, disrupting the proceedings and creating an atmosphere of confusion in the chamber.
Upon entering the chamber, Akpoti-Uduaghan found her nameplate missing from her usual seat, which caused her to raise her voice in protest. She demanded an explanation for the change, stating that her seat reassignment was unwarranted and infringed on her rights as a senator. As the plenary session began, Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), raised a point of order, drawing attention to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “improper sitting position.”
Unwilling to back down, Akpoti-Uduaghan interrupted Monguno, demanding to know why her seat had been changed without her consent. She firmly declared, I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege. The rising tensions prompted Akpabio to intervene and call for the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort her out of the chamber. He warned that if she did not comply, she could face suspension for continuing to disrupt the session.
Security personnel were instructed to remove her, and her microphone was switched off. Despite the efforts to enforce Akpabio’s orders, Akpoti-Uduaghan resisted and expressed her anger at the treatment she was receiving, further escalating the situation.
Sensing that the situation could spiral out of control, several senators intervened to calm the tensions. Senators from Kogi State, led by Isah Jibrin (APC, Kogi East), stepped forward to appeal for peace. Jibrin urged Akpoti-Uduaghan to cooperate, while Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) also appealed for calm, encouraging Akpoti-Uduaghan to allow the plenary to continue smoothly.
Akpabio, understanding the gravity of the moment, compared the situation to that of South Africa’s parliament, where opposition leader Julius Malema is frequently called to “sit down” during contentious moments. Reflecting on a similar experience from his time in the 8th Senate, Akpabio recalled how his own seat was reassigned without notice, and while he voiced his displeasure, the matter was resolved without such public disruption. He noted that decorum should prevail when handling such issues.
After the brief disruption, Senator Jibrin cited Order 42 (Matter of personal explanation) and issued a public apology on behalf of his Kogi colleague. Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West) also defended the seat reallocation process, stating that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reaction was disproportionate to the change. He added, When she came in, we extended an arm of friendship to her; we love her too much. I don’t know why she turned the place upside down, urging her to apologize and restore peace to the chamber.
In a final attempt to bring resolution, Akpabio offered a conciliatory gesture, appealing to both sides for calm. Senator Karimi, I can see that you are very hurt. I just want to appeal to you to temper justice with mercy, Akpabio said, trying to defuse the escalating situation. He emphasized that seat reallocations are a routine exercise in the Senate, governed by the Senate’s Standing Orders and the discretion of the Senate President.
Akpabio took the opportunity to clarify that senators are expected to speak from their assigned seats during plenary, but changes to those seats are a matter for the Senate President’s discretion.
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He reassured the public that the Senate’s operations follow the established rules and the Constitution. The episode ultimately ended on a more peaceful note, with both sides agreeing to move forward.
The incident, though resolved, highlighted the delicate nature of parliamentary procedures and the importance of maintaining order and respect in the legislative chamber. It also underscored the significance of understanding and abiding by the Senate’s rules to avoid unnecessary disruptions.
