Natasha Akpoti resumes in Senate, takes new seat assigned by Akpabio

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan made her first appearance in the Senate chamber after a dramatic confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

 

Accompanied by her husband, the Kogi Central lawmaker took her new seat, seemingly marking the end of a heated dispute over her relocation within the chamber, reports Arise TV.

 

The controversy erupted on Thursday, February 20, when a plenary session descended into chaos after Akpabio ordered the sergeants-at-arms to remove Akpoti-Uduaghan from the chamber.

 

The senator had refused to vacate her initial seat, which was reassigned to accommodate changes in the chamber following the defection of two opposition senators to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

The clash began when Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno raised a point of order, citing Orders 24 and 6 of the Senate Standing Rules. He emphasised that the Senate President has the discretion to reassign seats as necessary. Monguno informed Akpabio of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s resistance to the directive, leading to a tense standoff that ultimately resulted in the unprecedented order for her removal.

 

Following the incident, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan on Friday, accused the Senate President of making inappropriate advances towards her. She recounted the alleged incident, which she said took place in December, a day before both their birthdays.

 

She also claimed that Akpabio obstructed her motion for an investigation into corruption at the Ajaokuta Steel Company, delaying its approval on multiple occasions.

 

According to her, when she confronted Akpabio about the delays, he responded “Natasha, I am the chief presiding officer. You can enjoy a whole lot if you take care of me and make me happy.”

 

She said she refused to acknowledge the statement, but he replied, “The ball is in your court.”

 

•Photo Caption: The senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, at the Senate chamber on March 5, 2025