Sen Natasha to face Ethics Committee after clash with Senate President

The Senate has directed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to appear before its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions following a dispute with Senate President, Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements.

The altercation occurred on 20th February during a plenary session.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, expressed concerns about her reassignment to a less prominent seat without prior notice. She contends that this move aims to marginalise her and restrict her participation in legislative debates. In an interview with Human Rights Radio, she stated, “Changing my seat was just a chance of silencing or alienating me from being seen.”

The situation escalated when Senate President Akpabio instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from the chamber after she protested the seating change. She invoked Order 10 of the Senate’s rules, which permits a senator to refer a matter to the ethics and privileges committee instead of facing immediate suspension. She explained, “I had to invoke that order… If I had not done that, I would have been suspended on the floor.”

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also alleged ongoing harassment and exclusion from key international events since joining the Senate. She claimed, “A lot of my privileges have been denied. I have been pulled out from many international activities that I was part of.”

The Senate’s decision to refer the matter to the ethics committee underscores the internal tensions within the legislative body. The committee is expected to review the incident and recommend appropriate actions.