A heated exchange broke out in the Senate on Thursday as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan clashed with the leadership over a dispute concerning her seat allocation.
The controversy arose after a reshuffle, triggered by opposition lawmakers shifting to the majority wing, led to her seat being reassigned. However, she refused to move.
Chief Whip Senator Tahir Monguno defended the decision, citing Senate rules that grant the Senate President the authority to reassign seats as necessary.
He further cautioned that defying the directive could result in disciplinary actions, including being barred from participating in debates.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio reinforced Monguno’s stance, denying Natasha the opportunity to speak when she attempted to address the chamber from her previous seat.
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Frustrated, the Kogi senator raised her voice in protest, accusing the leadership of suppressing her.
“I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege,” she declared defiantly.
The situation escalated when Akpabio instructed the sergeant-at-arms to remove her from the chamber.
However, intervention from colleagues helped ease tensions, though Natasha remained adamant in her refusal to change seats.
The New Daily Prime learned that this was not the first instance of a confrontation between Natasha and Akpabio in the Senate.
In July 2024, both lawmakers made headlines after Akpabio dismissed Natasha’s attempt to speak while he was delivering his address, as she had not been formally recognized.
During the exchange, he made a remark likening her to a nightclub, which sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians calling for his apology.
Akpabio remarked, “Senator Natasha, you cannot speak without being asked or invited to speak in the Senate. This is not a nightclub.”
As a result of his actions, a wave of calls bombarded him, his wife, and some alleged mistresses after GistLover shared their contact details on social media.
Despite the allegations, he firmly denied engaging in any extramarital affairs, asserting that he was married to only one woman—his wife.
Meanwhile, the Senate President, under mounting pressure, issued an apology to his colleague, Senator Natasha, for his remarks about a nightclub.
During the plenary session, he emphasized that he would never intentionally disrespect a woman.
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Addressing the issue in the Red Chamber, Akpabio reiterated that his comment was not meant as an insult to any woman.
He revealed that his phone had been inundated with offensive messages regarding the controversy.
According to him, it was his wife—whom he holds in high regard—who first brought the matter to his attention.
Akpabio stated, “I would never deliberately demean any woman, and I always pray for the elevation of women. Distinguished Senator Natasha, I extend my apology to you.
“The attention this has received on social media suggests the presence of adversaries. I felt it was necessary to offer a public apology.
“My words carried no ill intent. Instead of fixating on distractions, we should prioritize issues that will advance this nation. Social media users must engage responsibly. We will not regulate social media out of frustration.”
