Akpoti Uduaghan Foreswears Akpabio Over Seating Crisis

A recent drama played out in the Nigerian Senate on Thursday as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan disagreed over the seating arrangement. The drama unfolded when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan found out that her seat had been re-assigned upon resumption of the session. She refused to move which caused a heated argument.

The crisis deepened as the Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, quoted sections of the Senate rule book to justify the re-assignment of seats. But Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan stood her ground, saying the new seating arrangement would impede her ability to represent her constituency.

This is not new. At the Senate’s first sitting in the newly renovated chamber in April 2024, several senators expressed unhappiness over their seats. This recurring issue shows the need for clear guidelines and respect among lawmakers for the smooth running of the Senate.

This latest altercation between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Akpabio has brought to the fore the power dynamics in the Senate. While leadership requires the enforcement of rules, it’s also important to address the concerns of individual senators to maintain peace and democracy.

As the Senate continues to sit, the resolution of these issues will determine the efficiency of the legislative process.