Osamagbe Imadiyi
The senator for Kogi Central Senatorial District, Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was called for security by Senate President Godwill Akpabio on Thursday during a contentious dispute over seating arrangements at the plenary.
Members of the Peoples Democratic Party, including Akpoti-Uduaghan, threatened plenary proceedings by refusing to use the seat that was allotted to her, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules, which safeguards members’ privileges.
Akpabio requested that Senate security remove the female senator from the chambers at the height of the situation, but the intervention of other lawmakers prevented things from getting out of control. The Kogi lawmaker discovered her nameplate missing from her usual seat as she entered the chamber for the day’s business.
She was upset by the change and protested loudly, asking no one in particular to tell her why she was sitting in a different position.
Akpabio was informed of Natasha’s “improper sitting position” by Senate Chief Whip Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), who raised a point of order as the plenary began. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan interrupted while Monguno was still speaking, asking why her seat had been moved without her permission.
Akpabio ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to lead the Kogi lawmaker out of the chamber after the plenary was interrupted, threatening to suspend her if she persisted in her loud behavior. “Please remove her from the Senate, Sergeant-at-Arms.” Akpabio ordered.
Then, as security guards moved to carry out Akpabio’s directives, her microphone shut off. The Senator resisted, though, and continued to express her ire at Akpabio’s treatment of her.
Akpabio mentioned that he had also objected to a seat reassignment during his tenure in the 8th Senate, but he had handled the situation more tactfully. Senator Jibrin apologized on behalf of his Kogi colleague and cited Order 42 (Matter of personal explanation) after the plenary was peacefully resumed.
Senators must speak from their designated seats, but the Senate President has the authority to make changes, Akpabio explained, stressing that seat reallocation is a regular process governed by the Senate’s Standing Orders.
