By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
The Nigerian Senate has criticized Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, for her remarks about the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, regarding seat allocations.
On Thursday, Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to accept the new seat assigned to her, citing her right to protection under the Senate’s Rule 10.
The dispute arose after her seat was changed following the defection of some opposition senators to the ruling party.
However, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan rejected the move and accused the Senate leadership of attempting to silence her.
“I have no problem if they take away my right to speak. I am not afraid of you. You are denying me my rights,” she said, addressing the Senate President.
As tensions escalated, Akpabio ordered security personnel to remove her from the Senate chamber, but some senators intervened to de-escalate the situation.
Reacting to the incident in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu said that the National Assembly is not a place for entertainment.
“What we are saying is that the National Assembly is not a place for creating entertainment or play. It is a place for serious legislative work,” he stated.
Regarding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accusation of rights infringement, Adaramodu explained that, despite being a new senator, she had been assigned significant leadership roles in the Senate.
“If she is claiming that her rights are being denied or that she’s being prevented from speaking, as a new senator, she has been given three major committee leadership roles. Every senator is entitled to lead one committee, but she is now leading foreign affairs and NGOs,” he added.
The Senate spokesman further mentioned that the matter would not be revisited, as Senator Isah Jubril from Kogi had apologized on behalf of Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“The Senate has fully accepted this apology, and so the matter will not be reopened,” he said.