A heated exchange 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 altercation stemmed from 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 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.
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Visibly frustrated, Natasha accused Akpabio of deliberately silencing her voice and denying her the opportunity to contribute to motions.
She claimed her bills had been repeatedly blocked from reaching the second reading.
Natasha declared that she will not beshoved to the corner and That the worst Akpabio can do is suspend her
Natasha stressed that even if she is suspended she will continue serving her people in Kogi Central and the women of Nigeria
Natasha further alleged that Akpabio had discriminated against her, maligned, and dehumanized her.
She also accused him of using language that degraded women.
“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.”
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.
(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)
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