Senate Criticizes Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Over Seating Dispute

The Senate has faulted the actions of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) following a dispute over her designated seat in the chamber.

On Thursday, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to occupy the seat assigned to her, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules, which protects members’ privileges. The situation escalated to the point where Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed security to remove her from the chamber. However, intervention from fellow lawmakers prevented the matter from worsening.

Reacting to the incident on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South) criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions, stating that the National Assembly is meant for serious legislative business, not entertainment.

“The National Assembly is not a place for content creation or theatrics; it is for serious governance,” Adaramodu said.

He also dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims of being bullied or sidelined, noting that despite being a first-time senator, she chairs three committees—far more than the usual allocation.

“If she claims she’s being sidelined, how come she was given the chairmanship of three committees, including Foreign Affairs and NGOs? Normally, a senator is entitled to chair only one committee,” he added.

Despite the controversy, the Senate ruled out any disciplinary action against her, with Adaramodu confirming that Senator Isah Jubril (APC, Kogi) had apologized on her behalf.

“The Senate has accepted the apology tendered on her behalf, and we will not revisit the matter,” he said.

Meanwhile, Cynthia Mbamalu, Director of Programmes at Yiaga Africa, criticized Senate President Akpabio for allegedly not allowing Akpoti-Uduaghan to be heard. She argued that Order 10 of the Senate Rules permits a senator to speak in such cases.

“I felt there was little tolerance for her agitation,” Mbamalu stated, recalling a similar 2018 incident where Akpabio had a seating dispute with then-Senate President Bukola Saraki.

“We have seen stronger and angrier protests from male senators without backlash. Senator Natasha was not violent or insulting—she was merely citing the Senate rule book,” she added.