The Senate has unanimously decided to refer Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review following a disagreement over seating arrangements.
The controversy erupted when Akpoti-Uduaghan confronted Senate President Godswill Akpabio upon discovering that her seat had been changed without prior notice.
The situation escalated into a heated argument during the February 20 plenary session.
The Senate Committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun (LP, Edo South), has been given two weeks to investigate and report back on its findings.
Following a voice vote on the matter, lawmakers emphasized the importance of maintaining parliamentary rules and decorum.
Raising a motion under Senate Orders 1(b) and 10, Senate spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South) criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s conduct, describing it as “extreme intransigence” and calling for disciplinary action.
“Where there is sin, there must be a penalty,” Adaramodu stated, urging the Senate leadership to uphold discipline.
Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele supported Adaramodu’s stance, reiterating the Senate’s commitment to its rules and internal order.
“There is no one who does not have an opinion on this issue, but we are unified by our rules. Under our watch, we will not allow this institution to be discredited beyond what we inherited. Integrity is non-negotiable,” Bamidele said.
In response, Senate President Akpabio instructed the Committee on Ethics and Privileges to conduct a thorough review of the incident.
He pointed out that while Senate rules permit members to sit anywhere, contributions must be made from their designated seats.
Akpabio suggested that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s unfamiliarity with Senate procedures may have played a role in the confrontation.
“The first day she was sworn in, she stood up to contribute, and I was worried if she had even read the rule book. There is nothing wrong with being vibrant, but everything wrong with disobeying procedure,” he remarked.
Citing Order 66(2) and Section 55 of the Senate rules, Akpabio stressed that all senators must conduct themselves with decorum, noting specific prohibitions on chewing gum, drinking water, or being disruptive during sittings.
“The rules empower the Senate President to suspend a senator for infractions for at least 14 days. It’s not me who made the rules, it’s in the rule book,” he stated.
