Drama Unfolds in Senate as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Refuses to Be Ejected by Senate President Godswill Akpabio
In a dramatic turn of events inside the Nigerian Senate chambers, a heated altercation between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio sent shockwaves through the legislative body. The confrontation, which took place on the morning of February 20, 2025, unfolded after Akpabio ordered the ejection of Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, for refusing to comply with a seat reassignment directive issued by the Senate leadership.
This altercation marks a significant point of tension between the two lawmakers, with Akpoti-Uduaghan vocally challenging Akpabio’s authority and refusing to be intimidated. The incident highlights the deepening divisions in the Nigerian Senate, which continues to be plagued by issues of power dynamics, leadership disputes, and concerns over the effective functioning of the institution.
The drama began when Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno, reported to the chamber that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had refused to relocate to a new seat assigned to her. The seat reassignment was initiated following the defection of two opposition senators, who had recently joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from a minority party. Monguno, referencing Order 24, outlined his authority as Chief Whip to oversee such administrative matters, and he further pointed to Order 6, which grants the Senate President the power to reassign senators’ seats.
As Monguno made his statement, he emphasized that senators must sit in their designated seats, as failure to do so would result in the denial of recognition during Senate proceedings. He explained that the reallocation of seats was necessary to close gaps created by the defection of the two opposition senators, ensuring that the balance of power within the chamber remained intact.
However, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the opposition party, refused to comply with the seat reassignment. She argued that she was being unfairly targeted and denied the opportunity to carry out her legislative duties. Standing up from her original seat, she invoked Order 10, claiming that her privileges had been violated and that she should not be compelled to move to a different seat. In doing so, she openly challenged the authority of the Senate President and the legitimacy of the seating arrangement imposed upon her.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who had been presiding over the session, immediately intervened, ruling that Akpoti-Uduaghan could not be recognized while sitting in an unauthorized seat. He cited the Senate rules and reaffirmed his authority to manage the chamber’s proceedings, including assigning seats to lawmakers.
This decision, however, did not sit well with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. She became visibly frustrated and accused Akpabio of deliberately silencing her voice and denying her the opportunity to contribute to important motions. In an impassioned speech, she expressed her belief that her bills had been repeatedly blocked from reaching the second reading, a decision she considered discriminatory and part of a broader campaign to marginalize her within the Senate.
“I am not afraid of you,” Akpoti-Uduaghan shouted, directing her words to Senate President Akpabio. “Do whatever you deem fit, but I will not leave this seat. My voice will not be silenced.” The fierce response signaled her determination to stand her ground, despite the authority of the Senate leadership.
As the confrontation intensified, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan raised serious allegations against Senate President Akpabio, accusing him of discriminatory treatment and of deliberately dehumanizing her as a female lawmaker. She claimed that she had been subjected to unfair treatment and that her contributions to the Senate had been continuously undermined.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also criticized Akpabio for what she viewed as an abuse of power, challenging his authority to suspend her or deny her the right to speak in the chamber. She made it clear that she would not be cowed into submission, regardless of the potential consequences. “I am a duly elected senator, and I represent the people of Kogi Central. No one has the right to silence me,” she declared. “If you suspend me, I will still continue serving my people, and I will speak up for Nigerian women.”
Her defiance was an expression of her belief that she had been targeted due to her political position, and perhaps even due to her gender. For many who were witnessing the confrontation, it seemed that Akpoti-Uduaghan was drawing attention to a larger issue facing Nigerian women in politics — the persistent challenges of being heard and taken seriously in a male-dominated political environment.
The Senate chambers, once filled with the typical chatter and formalities of legislative work, became tense and charged with emotion as Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio engaged in a verbal standoff. It was clear that this was not merely a procedural disagreement but a deeper clash of personalities and political ideologies.
As the confrontation reached a boiling point, several senators stepped in to defuse the situation. Colleagues from both sides of the aisle attempted to mediate the standoff between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio, seeking to calm the tension and restore order to the Senate proceedings. These interventions were instrumental in preventing further escalation, with some senators calling for a temporary suspension of the issue and urging the parties involved to engage in private dialogue.
Despite the intervention, the clash highlighted the ongoing struggles within the Nigerian Senate, particularly in terms of leadership dynamics and the treatment of female legislators. The public spectacle created by the altercation was a reminder of the sometimes fractious nature of Nigeria’s political system, where power struggles and personal conflicts can spill over into public view.
This altercation between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio is not the first time the two lawmakers have been at odds in the Senate. Their past disagreements have centered around various issues, including the treatment of opposition members and the political direction of the Senate. However, this latest clash is significant not just for its procedural impact, but also for its deeper implications regarding gender dynamics in Nigerian politics.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has long been an outspoken advocate for the rights of women and marginalized communities in Nigeria. Throughout her tenure in the Senate, she has pushed for legislation that seeks to empower women and address gender inequality, often challenging the status quo in a male-dominated political environment. Her vocal stance in the Senate and her refusal to back down in the face of opposition from male colleagues, including the Senate President, has made her a prominent figure in the ongoing struggle for gender equality in Nigerian politics.
Her outburst in the Senate was a clear response to what she perceived as a pattern of discrimination and undermining of her voice as a female lawmaker. In a country where women remain significantly underrepresented in political leadership positions, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s refusal to be silenced serves as a reminder of the barriers that women continue to face in their pursuit of political power.
The altercation between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio has raised questions about the functioning of the Nigerian Senate and its ability to effectively carry out its duties. At a time when the country faces numerous challenges, including economic instability, security concerns, and political polarization, the Senate’s ability to operate smoothly is critical.
While personal conflicts between lawmakers are not uncommon in any legislature, the public nature of this confrontation raises concerns about the Senate’s ability to focus on the pressing issues of the day. The disruptive nature of the clash between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio may have distracted from the Senate’s legislative agenda, delaying important debates and decisions that affect the lives of millions of Nigerians.
Furthermore, the ongoing power struggles between the leadership of the Senate and individual senators highlight the lack of unity within the institution. With opposition lawmakers often clashing with the ruling party’s leadership, the Senate has at times struggled to find common ground on critical issues. This has had a negative impact on the Senate’s ability to function as an effective legislative body, and it has led to a lack of meaningful progress on key reforms.
Despite the tension, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s stance has undoubtedly drawn attention to her political platform and her advocacy for the rights of women and marginalized groups. Her refusal to back down in the face of authority sends a strong message to her constituents in Kogi Central, as well as to the larger political community in Nigeria.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has shown that she is willing to stand firm on her principles, regardless of the personal or professional consequences. For many Nigerians, she remains an important figure in the fight for greater gender equality and political representation. Her outburst in the Senate serves as a reminder that the battle for equal treatment in Nigerian politics is far from over, and that women like Akpoti-Uduaghan are willing to fight for their rights, no matter the cost.
As the Senate continues to grapple with internal disputes and political power plays, it is clear that the future of Nigerian politics will be shaped by individuals like Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who are unafraid to challenge the status quo and fight for a more inclusive and representative system.
