As the Senate turned rowdy, its President Godswill Akpabio has called for calm in the Upper Chamber over the stormy session caused by Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central from Kogi State.
Specifically, Akpabio pleaded with the Chairman of Senate Services, Sen. Steve Karimi, to forgive Natasha for her conduct on the floor of the Red Chamber.
A heated argument broke out in the Senate on Thursday after Senator Natasha protested the re-allocation of her seat.
The incident began when Sen. Natasha discovered her seat had been changed without prior notice.
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Upset by the change, she removed her name tag from the new seat and placed it back on her original seat.
Her frustration grew louder as she accused the Chairman of Senate Services, Senator Steve Karimi of Kogi West, of being behind the seat re-allocation.
Sen. Karimi, visibly angered by the accusation, raised a “matter of privilege” on the Senate floor.
He urged the Senate to refer the issue to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges for investigation, saying his rights as a senator had been violated by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public outburst.
“Earlier this morning before sitting, there was an uproar in the chamber over the change of seats,” Karimi explained.
“The President of the Senate has the power to change seats at any time without prior notice. Sen. Samson Ekong was the first person who approached me regarding the change of seats, and I told him I wasn’t even aware.
“Before long, Sen. Natasha was shouting my name all over the place. I want to say that my privilege has been breached,” he added.
Karimi further expressed disappointment, reminding the Senate how the Kogi caucus had supported Akpoti-Uduaghan when she first joined the chamber.
“When she arrived here, we fought for her to ensure she got a chairmanship position. I don’t understand why the chamber should be turned upside down over seating arrangements. I want her to come out and apologize to us,” Karimi stated firmly.
Senate President Akpabio eventually intervened. “I can see that you feel very hurt. You came under Order 10 of our rules. This is the Nigerian Senate. The matter, according to our rules, is to be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges,” Akpabio said while addressing Karimi.
“I appeal that we do not go further. The matter will be dealt with at the appropriate time,” Akpabio added.
Recall that the altercation stemmed from a report by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno, who informed the Senate that Senator Natasha had refused to relocate to a new seat assigned to her.
Monguno added that the reassignment was intended to close gaps left by two defecting opposition senators who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from a minority party
Citing Order 24, Monguno highlighted his authority as Chief Whip and referenced Order 6, which grants the Senate President the power to reassign senators’ seats at any time. He further noted that senators can only speak from their designated seats, reinforcing Akpabio’s authority to deny recognition to anyone speaking from an unassigned seat.
However, Senator Natasha stood from her original seat and attempted to invoke Order 10, arguing that her privileges had been violated. Akpabio then ruled her out of order, asserting that she could not be recognized while speaking from an unauthorized seat.
Natasha accused Akpabio of deliberately silencing her voice and denying her the opportunity to contribute to motions. She claimed her bills had been repeatedly blocked from reaching the second reading.
She said she will not be shoved to the corner and that the worst Akpabio can do is suspend her. She stressed that even if she is suspended she will continue serving her people in Kogi Central and the women of Nigeria
Natasha further alleged that Akpabio had discriminated against her, maligned, and dehumanized her.
“I am not afraid of you,” she told Akpabio. “Do whatever you deem fit, but I will not leave this seat. My voice will not be silenced.”
She challenged his authority to suspend her when she is a lawmaker that was duly elected by members of her constituency.
Normalcy was however restored after some Senators stepped in to calm the tension between then.
This would not be the first time Akpabio and Senator Natasha are locking horns in the chambers.
