The Nigerian Senate has unanimously decided to send Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review following her recent altercation concerning her seating arrangement.
This decision, made via a voice vote on Tuesday, mandates that the committee, led by Senator Neda Imaseun, present its findings within two weeks.
The controversy arose during the Senate session on February 20, when Akpoti-Uduaghan had a disagreement with Senate leadership regarding her assigned seat. The incident garnered significant media attention and prompted calls for disciplinary action from fellow lawmakers.
Senate spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu initiated the motion under Orders 1(b) and 10, labeling Akpoti-Uduaghan’s behavior as “extreme intransigence” and arguing that her actions disrupted the Senate’s decorum.
Adaramodu remarked, “Since that Thursday, the media has been filled with this issue, and I had to work on repairing the perception of the 10th Senate. The Senate is not a platform for content creation; it is a space for lawmaking and oversight. Wrongdoing must have consequences.”
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele echoed the need to maintain order, asserting the importance of adhering to Senate rules. He said, “We will not allow this institution to be discredited beyond what we have inherited. Integrity is non-negotiable,” and dismissed any claims of gender bias, pointing out that other senior senators had accepted seat changes without complaint.
The outcome of the disciplinary committee’s review is expected to determine whether Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions violated Senate rules and to recommend appropriate sanctions.
Additionally, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has tasked the Committee on Ethics and Privileges with evaluating the incident and reporting back to the chamber. He noted that, although Senate rules allow members to sit anywhere, contributions must come from designated seats.
Akpabio remarked on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s unfamiliarity with Senate procedures, recalling a previous instance when she actively contributed without apparent knowledge of the rules. He emphasized that adherence to decorum is essential, referencing Order 66(2) and Section 55, which prohibit disruption during sessions.
“The rules give the Senate President the authority to suspend a senator for a minimum of 14 days for infractions. I didn’t create the rules; it’s all in the rulebook,” he stated.
