By Ayomide Otitoju
A dramatic incident unfolded in the Nigerian Senate on Thursday, February 20, as Senate President Godswill Akpabio ordered Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, to leave the Red Chamber following a dispute over seating arrangements.
The tension arose after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s designated seat was moved, a change she resisted. The Senate’s Chief Whip, Ali Monguno, raised concerns over her “improper seating position,” leading to intervention by the sergeant-at-arms, who escorted her out of the plenary.
Video footage captured the senator protesting as she was asked to leave, raising questions about legislative procedures and members’ rights. The Nigerian Constitution grants the Senate authority to regulate its own proceedings and discipline its members. However, the legality of Akpabio’s directive remains unclear.
The Constitution also guarantees freedom of expression, which extends to participation in legislative debates. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s removal from the plenary has sparked debate over whether her rights were infringed upon.
As the situation develops, its implications for legislative conduct and members’ rights in the Nigerian Senate remain to be seen.
