- The Senate referred Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Ethics Committee over a dispute regarding her seating arrangement
- Senate spokesperson condemned Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “intransigence” and the damage to the chamber’s image
- Senate President Akpabio emphasised the importance of following procedures and decorum in the chamber
The Nigerian Senate has referred Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for a disciplinary review following a dispute over seating arrangements in the chamber.
The Senate decision, made after a voice vote on Tuesday, February 25, comes amid a row over Akpoti-Uduaghan's altercation with Senate leadership regarding her designated seat.
The committee, led by Senator Neda Imaseun, has been given two weeks to investigate the matter and submit its findings.
The motion to refer the issue to the committee was raised under Senate Orders 1(b) and 10, with lawmakers emphasising the need to uphold parliamentary decorum and the integrity of Senate proceedings.
Senate spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu condemned what he called Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “extreme intransigence” during the February 20 plenary session, noting that the incident had garnered significant media attention.
Adaramodu stated that the controversy had undermined the public perception of the 10th Senate and urged the leadership to enforce discipline.
“The Senate is not a platform for content creation but a place for lawmaking and oversight functions, Where there is sin, there must be a penalty.” Adaramodu said.
Supporting Adaramodu’s position, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele stressed the Senate’s commitment to order and integrity, emphasising that the chamber was bound by its rules.
He dismissed suggestions that the dispute was a case of gender bias, pointing out that other senior senators had accepted similar seating changes without protest.
“We are bound by our rules. Integrity is non-negotiable, Under our watch, we will not allow this institution to be discredited beyond what we inherited.” Bamidele affirmed.
In his ruling, Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed the Ethics Committee to conduct a thorough review of the incident and report back to the chamber.
He also commented on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s unfamiliarity with Senate procedures, suggesting it may have contributed to the confrontation.
“On her first day in the Senate, I was concerned if she had even read the rule book, There is nothing wrong with being vibrant, but everything wrong with disobeying procedure.” Akpabio said.
The Senate President also reminded lawmakers of the importance of adhering to parliamentary rules, citing Order 66(2) and Section 55 of the Senate’s regulations, which prohibit disruptive behaviour, including chewing gum or drinking water during proceedings.
The outcome of the Ethics Committee’s review will determine whether any disciplinary actions will be taken against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Nigerians react as Akpabio apologises to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over 'night club' comment
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Senator Akpabio apologised to Senator Natasha over a derogatory comment made during plenary.
Some Nigerians emphasised he was noble with his apology, while others thought it was still rude.
