Senate President Godswill Akpabio Thursday walked out Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi, PDP) out of plenary over seating arrangements in the Red Chamber.
Trouble started when Akpabio relocated the seat of the Kogi lawmaker after resumption of the session, but the Senator refused to comply with the change.
This led to the Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Ali Monguno to bring to the attention of the Senate President “Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s improper seating position.”
When Monguno was making his submission, Natasha forcefully interjected, demanding to know why her seat was relocated.
“Why was my seat moved without my consent?” she asked.
Akpabio instead insisted and ruled in favor of the order.
After this, Senator Natasha raised her hand to speak, but was prevented as she was not addressing the chamber from her newly assigned seat.
The situation got heated as she raised her voice to protest and directly confronting the Senate President.
“I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege,” she alleged
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that the Senate President was sidelining her, adding that she had been denied several opportunities to present bills for a second reading since their last confrontation.
As the tension began to rise in the plenary, Akpabio directed the sergeant at arms to walk her out.
However, some Senators intervened, and there was calm, but she adamantly refused to move.
