A heated exchange broke out on Thursday at the Nigerian Senate when Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central clashed over a change in her sitting arrangement. The situation led to a moment of tension, with security being called in to intervene.
The drama started when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), entered the chamber and noticed that her nameplate was missing from her usual seat. Visibly upset, she demanded an explanation for the change, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules, which protects members’ privileges.
As the session progressed, Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North) raised a point of order, informing Akpabio that Akpoti-Uduaghan was sitting in the wrong seat. Before Monguno could finish, the Kogi senator interrupted, questioning why her seat had been reassigned without her consent.
“I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege,” she told Akpabio.
In response, Akpabio ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove her from the chamber, warning that she could face suspension if she continued to disrupt the proceedings.
“Can the Sergeant-at-Arms please take her out of the Senate?” Akpabio instructed.
Security personnel moved to enforce the order, but the senator resisted, expressing her frustration over how she was treated. As tensions rose, some senators stepped in to restore calm. Kogi lawmakers, led by Senator Isah Jibrin (APC, Kogi East), urged restraint, while Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) pleaded with Akpoti-Uduaghan to allow the matter to be settled peacefully.
Akpabio, responding to the situation, compared the incident to South Africa’s parliament, where opposition leader Julius Malema is often told to “sit down.” He recalled a similar experience during his time in the 8th Senate when his seat was changed without notice.
“In the 8th Senate, my seat was changed without prior notice. I voiced my displeasure, but the matter was resolved internally,” he said.
To prevent similar disruptions in the future, Akpabio suggested returning to the previous microphone system, which would allow better control over who speaks during plenary. He also jokingly apologized “on behalf of the contractor” responsible for the seating arrangement.
After the chamber settled, Senator Jibrin cited Order 42 (Matter of Personal Explanation) and apologized on behalf of his Kogi colleague. Meanwhile, Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West) defended the seat reallocation, stating that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reaction was unnecessary.
“When she came in, we extended an arm of friendship to her; we love her too much. I don’t know why she turned the place upside down,” he said, urging her to apologize.
In an effort to ease tensions, Akpabio appealed to Senator Karimi to remain calm.
“Senator Karimi, I can see that you are very hurt. I just want to appeal to you to temper justice with mercy,” he said.
Akpabio also clarified that seat reallocation is a routine process governed by the Senate’s Standing Orders. He stressed that while senators must speak from their assigned seats, changes can be made at the discretion of the Senate President.
“I want the public to understand that our proceedings are governed by rules and the Constitution,” he said.
