The Nigerian Senate has referred Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review following a heated altercation over her seating arrangement.
The Kogi lawmaker engaged in a shouting match on February 20 after discovering that her designated seat had been changed without prior notice. The incident sparked controversy, leading the Senate to vote unanimously for an investigation. The ethics committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun, has been given two weeks to report its findings.
The decision followed a motion raised under Senate Orders 1(b) and 10 by Senator Yemi Adaramodu, who condemned Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions, labeling them “extreme intransigence.” He emphasized the importance of maintaining order in the chamber, stating, “The Senate is not a platform for content creation but a place for lawmaking and oversight functions.”
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele also backed the motion, stressing that all senators must adhere to established rules. He dismissed allegations of gender bias, noting that other senators had accepted seat changes without protest.
In response, Senate President Godswill Akpabio reminded members that while senators can sit anywhere, formal contributions must be made from their designated seats. He suggested that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reaction stemmed from a lack of familiarity with parliamentary procedures.
Quoting Senate Order 66(2) and Section 55, Akpabio reiterated the importance of decorum, warning that disruptive behavior could lead to suspension. “The rules empower the Senate President to suspend a senator for infractions for at least 14 days. It’s not me who made the rules; it’s in the rule book,” he stated.
The Senate now awaits the ethics committee’s report, which could determine possible disciplinary measures against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
