Senate Clashes Over Seat Assignment: Akpoti-Uduaghan Faces Off with Akpabio in Heated Plenary Row
A dramatic and unexpected showdown rocked the Nigerian Senate on Thursday, leaving lawmakers, observers, and the public stunned. The altercation, which nearly disrupted the day’s proceedings, involved a fierce clash between Senate President Godwill Akpabio and Kogi Central Senator, Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over a seemingly routine seating arrangement. What started as a simple dispute over seat allocation quickly escalated into an intense confrontation that threatened to derail the Senate’s important work for the day.
The incident unfolded when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived at the chamber and found that her usual seat was no longer available. To her surprise, her nameplate had been moved, and the seat she had consistently occupied during previous sessions was now occupied by someone else. Disturbed by the sudden change and frustrated by what she saw as a breach of protocol, she raised her voice in protest, demanding an explanation for the arbitrary reassignment of her seat.
As a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Akpoti-Uduaghan’s move to question the seat change quickly became a point of contention. The dispute was rooted in Senate Order 10, which protects the privileges of lawmakers, including their assigned seating arrangements. According to the rules, senators are entitled to sit in the positions designated to them, and any unauthorized change to this could be seen as an infringement on their rights as elected officials.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s protest over the seating arrangement was initially met with some resistance from her fellow lawmakers, particularly those from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who appeared to view the issue as a minor matter. However, the senator’s refusal to back down and her demand for clarity on the reasons behind the change set the stage for a dramatic escalation.
At this point, Senate President Akpabio, a prominent figure within the APC and former governor of Akwa Ibom State, intervened, calling attention to the situation. Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), raised a point of order, suggesting that Akpoti-Uduaghan was sitting in an “improper position.” This formal objection drew Akpabio’s attention to the matter, and the Senate President swiftly ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan to vacate her seat. The call for her removal led to an explosive exchange of words, with Akpoti-Uduaghan fiercely defending her rights and standing her ground on the matter.
The Height of Tension: Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Defiant Stand
As the dispute intensified, Akpoti-Uduaghan became increasingly vocal in her resistance to the Senate President’s directive. She was adamant that her privileges as a senator had been violated. “I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege,” she boldly declared, her voice echoing through the chamber. The fiery rhetoric only fueled the tension, with both sides standing firm in their respective positions.
Akpabio, meanwhile, seemed determined to maintain control over the session and restore order to the proceedings. In a move that shocked many, he ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms, the Senate’s security personnel, to physically remove Akpoti-Uduaghan from the chamber. He also threatened to suspend her if she continued to disrupt the session. “Can the Sergeant-at-Arms please take her out of the Senate?” Akpabio’s demand reverberated across the chamber, heightening the already charged atmosphere.
However, the situation did not immediately escalate to physical confrontation. Despite the order for her removal, Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to leave her seat, continuing to voice her displeasure. In an attempt to assert her authority, Akpabio had her microphone switched off, further intensifying the drama. The move to silence the senator was seen as an effort to quell the growing uproar and assert the Senate President’s control over the session.
Despite this, Akpoti-Uduaghan remained unyielding. She continued to argue her case, demanding that her concerns be addressed before the session could proceed. As the tension reached its peak, other lawmakers began to intervene in an attempt to calm the situation. Senators from Kogi State, including Isah Jibrin (APC, Kogi East) and Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West), stepped in to mediate, urging Akpoti-Uduaghan to back down and allowing the plenary to resume.
A Full Senate Response: Intervention and Apologies
The intervention of fellow lawmakers played a crucial role in de-escalating the situation. Senator Isah Jibrin, a member of the APC, called for calm, asking both parties to put aside their differences and allow the Senate to proceed with its work. Similarly, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) appealed to Akpoti-Uduaghan to “give peace a chance” and reconsider her actions. Despite the heated exchange, these interventions helped avert a more severe breakdown in order.
Following the intervention, Akpabio reflected on the situation and sought to bring closure to the dispute. Recalling a similar incident during his time as a senator in the 8th National Assembly, Akpabio emphasized the importance of decorum in the Senate. He acknowledged that in his earlier years in the Senate, his own seat had been changed without prior notice. However, he stated that he had handled the situation with a sense of decorum and respect for the rules. “In the 8th Senate, my seat was changed without prior notice. I voiced my displeasure, but the matter was resolved internally,” he shared with lawmakers, urging a similar approach to the current dispute.
The Senate President also took the opportunity to suggest improvements to the Senate’s seating arrangements. In a lighthearted moment, he sarcastically apologized “on behalf of the contractor” for the microphone system malfunction and proposed the return to an older microphone setup to avoid similar incidents in the future. The Senate President’s remarks, while humorous, were also an attempt to defuse the tension and move forward from the disruption.
Resolution and Apology: Moving Forward
As the tension eased, the Senate returned to business. Senator Jibrin, who had been one of the key figures in mediating the situation, invoked Senate Order 42, which allows senators to make personal explanations. He issued an apology on behalf of Akpoti-Uduaghan, acknowledging the importance of maintaining order and unity within the Senate.
Despite the apology, Senator Karimi, a member of the APC and a fellow Kogi senator, defended the seating reassignment process. He described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reaction as “unnecessary” and suggested that her actions had been an overreaction. “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,” Karimi remarked, urging her to offer an apology for her behavior.
In the end, it was Akpabio who offered a resolution, calling for mercy and urging all parties to put the matter behind them. “Senator Karimi, I can see that you are very hurt. I just want to appeal to you to temper justice with mercy,” Akpabio said, offering a soft landing for the situation. His intervention helped smooth over the rift between the senators, and the matter was resolved with a sense of closure.
A Deeper Look: Senate Procedures and Tensions
The incident between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio sheds light on the intricate and sometimes contentious nature of parliamentary proceedings in Nigeria. While seat reallocations may seem like a minor issue to the public, they can carry significant political and personal weight for lawmakers, particularly when they feel their privileges are being infringed upon. The confrontation also highlights ongoing tensions between opposition and ruling party members, which often play out in the Senate.
Senate seat assignments are typically determined by the Senate leadership, and changes are usually made for logistical or procedural reasons. However, as seen in this incident, such changes can spark conflicts when senators feel excluded or disrespected. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s strong reaction to the reassignment may have been partly fueled by her sense of frustration with the current political climate in the Senate, where opposition members often feel marginalized or sidelined.
Moreover, Akpabio’s handling of the situation, while effective in restoring order, also underscored the delicate balance of power in the Senate. His decision to call for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s removal was a demonstration of his authority, but his subsequent apology and offer of mercy showed his understanding of the need to preserve unity and decorum within the Senate.
The Future of Senate Relations
As the Senate continues its work, the aftermath of Thursday’s heated exchange is likely to linger in the minds of lawmakers. While the immediate dispute was resolved, the underlying tensions that led to the confrontation may remain. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges that come with managing a diverse and often divided legislature, where personal and political allegiances can influence even the most mundane aspects of parliamentary procedure.
For now, the Nigerian Senate has resumed its business, but the events of Thursday’s session may have long-lasting implications for how senators interact with one another in the future. As the country moves forward, it will be interesting to see how such tensions are managed and whether the Senate can find ways to foster greater cooperation and respect across party lines.