A heated confrontation rocked the Senate on Thursday as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan defied a directive from Senate President Godswill Akpabio over a controversial seating reshuffle.
The dispute erupted after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat was reassigned due to opposition lawmakers shifting to the majority wing. Refusing to comply, she stood her ground, challenging the leadership’s decision.
Chief Whip Senator Tahir Monguno defended the move, warning that defiance could lead to exclusion from debates. Akpabio backed Monguno and denied Akpoti-Uduaghan the floor when she attempted to speak from her original seat.
“I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege,” she declared, sparking murmurs across the chamber.
As tensions peaked, Akpabio ordered the sergeant-at-arms to remove her. However, fellow lawmakers intervened to de-escalate the situation, though Akpoti-Uduaghan remained steadfast in her protest.
The dramatic standoff underscored growing tensions within the Senate, raising questions about power dynamics and internal democracy in the legislative chamber.
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