A notable incident occurred in the Senate on Thursday when Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove Senator Natasha Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, from the chamber.
The conflict arose following a report presented by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno, who indicated that Senator Natasha had neglected to move to a newly assigned seat. The Chief Whip elaborated that this reassignment was necessary to fill vacancies created by two opposition senators who had defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the minority party.
Referencing Order 24, Monguno asserted his authority as Chief Whip and cited Order 6, which empowers the Senate President to reassign senators’ seats as deemed necessary. He emphasized that senators are permitted to speak only from their designated seats, thus bolstering Akpabio’s authority to deny recognition to any member speaking from an unassigned location.
In defiance of this directive, Natasha rose from her original seat to invoke Order 10, contending that her privileges had been infringed upon. However, Akpabio ruled her out of order, maintaining that she could not receive recognition while occupying an unauthorized seat.
Evidently frustrated, Natasha accused Akpabio of deliberately suppressing her voice and hindering her participation in legislative discussions. She claimed that her bills had faced repeated obstacles in progressing to the second reading.
Declaring her intent to remain active, Natasha asserted that the most Akpabio could achieve was to suspend her, but she remained committed to serving the constituents of Kogi Central and advocating for Nigerian women, irrespective of any suspension. She further accused Akpabio of engaging in discriminatory practices, defamation, and dehumanization, alleging that his language demeaned women.
Senator Uduaghan protested the decision regarding her seat relocation, expressing that she was being victimized and unjustly denied her right to represent the people of Kogi Central. This situation compelled Akpabio to order her removal from the chamber.
"I do not mind being silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have stripped me of my privilege," she declared vocally toward the Senate President.
Two of her colleagues from Kogi State intervened, condemning her conduct and issuing apologies on her behalf. The Chairman of the Kogi Senate Caucus, Senator Isa Jibrin, extended an apology to Akpabio, stating, "The recent movement of the senators can be attributed to the defection of Senator Ned Nwoko. Senator Natasha's reaction is unwarranted, and I sincerely apologize to the Senate President and to the entire Senate on her behalf."
As tensions mounted, Akpabio was heard calling for order and contemplating a suspension. Nevertheless, several senators urged Natasha to maintain her composure. Despite Akpabio's orders, when the Sergeant-at-Arms approached to enforce the removal, Senator Austin Akobundu and other lawmakers intervened to prevent her forcible exit.
After an extended standoff, Natasha ultimately ceased her protest, and proceedings resumed as normal in the Senate.