A fresh controversy has erupted in the Nigerian Senate following an alleged plan by Senate President Godswill Akpabio to suspend Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The tension stems from a heated altercation between the two lawmakers over seating arrangements in the chamber on Thursday.
Speaking in an interview with Abuja-based human rights radio station, Berekete Family, on Friday, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed the Senate leadership was scheming to silence her through suspension. Despite the alleged plan, she vowed to remain committed to her constituents and public service.
“I know that right now they are planning my suspension. If I’m suspended, fine. It will not stop me from doing my work wherever I can. I have a number of projects in line, and I will keep serving my people. I’ll keep being a voice, and I will keep being loved by the citizens,” she declared.
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The altercation began when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat was abruptly relocated from its original position in the minority section to the last row without prior consultation. When she protested and insisted on remaining in her original seat, Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno invoked Section 6(1) of the Senate Standing Rules, which empowers the Senate President to reassign seats when necessary.
Mr. Monguno justified the seat reassignment by citing recent defections of opposition senators to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He also warned that non-compliance with seating arrangements could lead to disciplinary action, including exclusion from Senate proceedings. Mr. Akpabio upheld Monguno’s ruling, denying Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan the opportunity to speak. When she persisted in raising her hand in protest, the Senate President muted her microphone and ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove her from the chamber.
Reacting to the incident during her interview, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted that she acted within Senate rules by invoking Order 10, which allows a senator to refer a dispute to the ethics and privileges committee rather than facing immediate suspension.
“Yesterday, I did not speak out of order. He was preparing to suspend me, and I had to invoke Order 10, which is an order of privilege. Instead of suspending me, if they found me at fault, they should have sent me to face the ethics and privileges committee,” she explained.
The senator also accused the Senate leadership of persistently sidelining her from key activities and harassing her. According to her, she has been systematically denied privileges, including international engagements. She alleged that since her controversial exchange with Akpabio seven months ago, in which he reportedly told her, ‘This is not a nightclub; you can’t come here and speak anyhow,’ she has faced deliberate exclusion.
“A lot of my privileges have been denied. I have been pulled out from many international activities that I was part of. There was even a United Nations event I was supposed to attend after being invited and nominated, but my name was struck out. They said they would not promote me internationally,” she lamented.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan further revealed that she has been funding her international trips personally since last year due to alleged deliberate efforts to block her from attending externally-sponsored events.
“So every event I have been going for since last year has been self-sponsored. Whenever I feel an international event is important to my constituents, Nigerian women, or Nigeria as a whole, I buy my tickets myself and fund my trips myself,” she said.
On the seating controversy, she insisted that the move was a deliberate attempt to silence and alienate her from Senate proceedings.
“The seating arrangement is critical. The nearer you sit, the better your chances of being seen on camera and called upon to contribute. I was already sitting at the very back, and now I was suddenly moved without notice to an area where the cameras don’t capture. If you sit there, you are practically invisible. You can raise your hand, and nobody will call you,” she stated.
Questioning why she was specifically targeted, she asked, “There are 109 senators. Why me? Why do I have to move? Why not someone else?”
She also disclosed that she was recently removed from the Senate Committee on Local Content due to alleged political biases. According to her, some lawmakers suspected she was using her position to divert resources meant for the Niger Delta to the North, a claim she denied.
“Just two weeks ago, I was removed from the Local Content Committee because some people perceived that I was diverting resources from the Niger Delta to the North. That was not true,” she said, adding that her advocacy was focused on ensuring the success of projects like the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, which would drive industrialization and economic growth.
As the controversy deepens, many are questioning whether Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is being targeted for her outspoken nature or if the actions against her are part of a broader strategy to suppress female voices in the Senate. The unfolding developments will likely determine the level of inclusivity and fairness within Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber.
What Does Akpabio Have Against Senator Natasha?
Or Is He on a Mission to Silence Women’s Voices in the Senate?
In a shocking turn of events, Senate President Godswill Akpabio ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate chamber, placing her under immediate suspension.
This incident raises serious concerns about Akpabio’s treatment of female senators. Seven months ago, Senator Akpabio had a similar altercation with Senator Natasha, telling her to “keep quiet” and declaring, “This is not a nightclub; you cannot come here and speak anyhow.”
What exactly does Akpabio have against Senator Natasha? Or is this a deliberate attempt to silence women in the Senate?
Comparing Leadership: Saraki (2018) vs. Akpabio (2025)
A look back at the 2018 Senate plenary session reveals a stark contrast in leadership styles. On October 17, 2018, Akpabio clashed with then-Senate President Bukola Saraki over seating arrangements in the chamber.
The dispute arose when Senator Albert Akpan accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to disrupt the 2019 governorship elections in Akwa Ibom. Akpabio, wanting to respond, attempted to use Senator Ali Ndume’s microphone because his own was malfunctioning.
However, Saraki insisted that Akpabio move to a designated seat with a functioning microphone. When Akpabio refused, the chamber became chaotic. The Senate clerk later clarified that Akpabio had initially rejected the assigned seat with a working microphone.
Despite Akpabio’s defiance, Saraki handled the situation with maturity and respect. He did not order Akpabio out of the chamber, nor did he suspend him immediately. Instead, he allowed Akpabio to speak, ensuring the decorum of the Senate was maintained.
Fast forward to 2025, Akpabio—now Senate President—took a completely different approach with Senator Natasha. Instead of managing the disagreement diplomatically, he resorted to force, directing the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove her and suspending her immediately.
Outrage and Public Reactions
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation. During a segment on What’s Trending on Arise TV, host Ayo Mairo-Ese criticized Akpabio’s actions, emphasizing that women’s voices should not be buried in the Senate.
She noted that Senator Natasha has fought numerous battles to secure her place in politics, recalling how former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello openly worked against her. Ayo questioned why Natasha continues to face such maltreatment in the Senate and called on both male and female senators to rise against discrimination.
“If it were someone else, Akpabio would have treated them with more respect. I hope voices will rise in defense of women in the Senate. I also hope Senator Akpabio will leave behind a legacy of fairness and equity,” she said.
Journalist Rufai Oseni added that women played a crucial role in Nigeria’s democracy, with many sacrificing their lives. “They should be treated with dignity and respect,” he stated.
Meanwhile, political analyst Professor Kyler sharply criticized Akpabio, saying, “Akpabio is not Saraki.”
The Woman Called Senator Natasha
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is a fearless leader, a woman of integrity who challenges the status quo. She has refused to be silenced or oppressed, standing firm in the face of adversity.
As the dust settles on this controversy, one question remains: Will the Senate stand up for fairness and gender equity, or will women’s voices continue to be silenced?
