Drama unfolded at the National Assembly yesterday when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan clashed with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over a seating arrangement dispute.
Recall this is not the first time Senator Natasha has clashed with the leadership, and her refusal to back down has raised questions about the Senate’s rules and procedures. Akpabio rebuffed Natasha last year while she attempted to speak without being invited to during his speech.
He remarked, “Senator Natasha, you cannot speak without being asked or invited to speak in the Senate. This is not a nightclub.”
He added that it was his wife, whom he respects greatly, who brought the matter to his attention.
He later apologised over his nightclub comment.
But yesterday, the trouble started when Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat was reassigned following a reshuffle, prompted by opposition members moving to the majority wing.
However, Senator Natasha refused to relocate, sparking a heated confrontation with Akpabio.
According to the Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, the reassignment is justified under the Senate Rules, and non-compliance could lead to penalties, including exclusion from Senate debates.
Akpabio upheld Monguno’s order and denied Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan the floor when she attempted to speak from her old seat.
The stand-off intensified when Akpabio directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove Akpoti-Uduaghan, but interventions from fellow lawmakers restored calm.
Although Akpoti-Uduaghan remained firm in her refusal to move, the situation did not escalate further.
The situation drew the attention of Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) and other colleagues, who stepped in to mediate. Their intervention helped calm the immediate tensions, allowing the plenary session to proceed.
Later in the session, Senator Isah Jibrin (Kogi East) invoked Order 42, which allows for personal explanations, to revisit the earlier altercation.
He clarified that the seat reshuffling was a procedural matter, resulting from recent resignations and reassignments within the Senate.
While expressing regret over the incident, Sen. Jibrin described Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reaction as unnecessary, urging her to accept the changes in good faith.
“I want to appeal that we do not escalate this matter beyond the chamber. Seat reallocation is a normal process in the Senate, and we should not let this cause unnecessary division,” he said.
Adding to the discussion, Senator Karimi Sunday (Kogi West), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Services, raised a point under Order 14, which governs privileges and discipline.
In his ruling, Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged all senators to exercise restraint and foster reconciliation.
He emphasised that seat allocation follows established rules and is subject to adjustments as necessary.
“I want the public to understand that our proceedings are governed by rules and the Constitution. Seat reallocation is a routine practice, not an act of bias or exclusion,” Akpabio stated.
Citing Section 6(1) and (2) of the Senate Standing Orders, he clarified that while senators must speak from their designated seats, these allocations can be modified at the discretion of the Senate President.
Akpabio called on all aggrieved parties to “temper justice with mercy” and focus on legislative duties rather than internal disputes.
