I stand before you today to strongly condemn the continued mistreatment of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the distinguished representative of Kogi Central in the Red Chamber, by the Senate President, His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Some time ago, Senator Akpabio publicly humiliated Senator Natasha, making an unnecessary and condescending remark that the Senate was “not a night party.” And what was her offense? Simply speaking without first being recognized by the Senate President—a minor procedural oversight that could have been corrected without ridicule or public embarrassment.

But the pattern of intimidation did not stop there.

On February 20, 2025, another troubling incident occurred regarding the reallocation of Senate seats. While the Senate President has the authority to assign or reassign seats, fairness and due process require that affected senators be consulted or at least informed beforehand.

The Standing Orders of the Nigerian Senate, specifically Order 11(2), clearly state that a senator may only speak from their assigned seat. However, it is also parliamentary tradition to notify a senator before reassigning their seat. Yet, in this case, Senator Natasha was neither informed nor consulted. When she attempted to raise her concerns, she was shut down—on the very basis that she was not speaking from her designated seat. Order 6(2) was cited against her, weaponized to silence her voice.

The irony is striking. This very issue of seat reassignment happened in the past to none other than Senator Akpabio himself, during Senator Bukola Saraki’s tenure as Senate President. Back then, Akpabio spoke up—even from an unassigned seat—and he was allowed to voice his grievances. Today, he refuses to grant the same courtesy to Senator Natasha. This blatant double standard exposes the unfair treatment being meted out against her.

We, the people of the Middle Belt and all fair-minded Nigerians, will not stand for this intimidation, discrimination, and humiliation.

We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, all senators, and the Nigerian public to ensure that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is treated with the respect and fairness she deserves. She was elected by the people of Kogi Central to serve, and serve she shall!

To Senator Natasha, we say: Do not be discouraged. Do not bow to intimidation. Continue to serve your people courageously and in accordance with the laws of Nigeria.

And to those who seek to suppress her, we say:

Enough is enough!

No to intimidation!

No to the abuse of women in leadership!

No to unproductive leadership!

No to incompetent leadership!

No to uncontrolled leadership!

No to name-calling, harassment, and humiliation of Senator Natasha!

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is an equal member of the Senate. She and Senator Akpabio are both senators, representing their respective constituencies. She must be accorded the same rights, respect, and dignity as every other senator.

Mr. Senate President, enough is enough. The Nigerian Senate must be a place of integrity, justice, and fairness—not a platform for intimidation and suppression.