Tensions ran high in the Senate on Wednesday 20th February as the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan openly defied a decision to relocate her seat, leading to a heated confrontation with the Senate leadership.
Trouble began when Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived for plenary and discovered that her seat had been reassigned. Refusing to comply, she challenged the decision, sparking a tense exchange with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Chief Whip Senator Tahir Monguno defended the seat reshuffling, stating that the adjustments were necessary to accommodate opposition lawmakers who had recently switched to the majority wing. He cited Senate rules that grant the President of the Senate authority over seating arrangements and warned that defiance could result in disciplinary actions, including exclusion from debates.
Senate President Akpabio upheld Monguno’s explanation and ruled that Akpoti-Uduaghan must adhere to the new seating arrangement. However, when she attempted to speak from her previous seat, she was denied the floor. Frustrated, she raised her voice in protest, declaring, “I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege.”
As the standoff escalated, Akpabio directed the sergeant-at-arms to escort her out of the chamber. The situation grew even more tense as several lawmakers stepped in to mediate. After some back-and-forth, the immediate crisis was defused, but Akpoti-Uduaghan remained adamant, refusing to move from her seat.
The dramatic episode highlighted underlying tensions in the Senate, turning what was expected to be a routine session into a spectacle of defiance and political maneuvering.
