The Senate has unanimously referred Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review following a heated dispute over her seat allocation.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The controversy erupted on February 20 when the Kogi Senator discovered that her seat had been changed without prior notification, leading to a tense shouting match on the Senate floor. The committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun, has been given two weeks to review the matter and submit its findings.
During a voice vote, lawmakers reaffirmed the importance of maintaining parliamentary decorum, with Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu condemning what he termed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “extreme intransigence.” He emphasized that the Senate should not be reduced to a platform for content creation but must remain focused on lawmaking and oversight duties.
Supporting the motion, Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele reiterated that all senators must adhere to established rules and protocols. “Under our watch, we will not allow this institution to be discredited beyond what we inherited. Integrity is non-negotiable,” he stated, dismissing claims that the dispute was linked to gender bias.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio clarified that while senators may sit anywhere, official contributions must be made from their designated seats. He suggested that a lack of familiarity with Senate procedures may have contributed to the altercation. Citing Order 66(2) and Section 55 of the Senate rules, he reminded lawmakers of the necessity to maintain decorum, which includes restrictions on chewing gum, drinking water, or engaging in disruptive behavior during sessions.
Akpabio further noted that the rules empower the Senate President to suspend members for infractions, stating, “It’s not me who made the rules, it’s in the rule book.”
The outcome of the Ethics Committee’s review will determine the next steps in the disciplinary process for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
