By Uche Amunike
Chaos was witnessed, Thursday, as lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpata-Uduaghan arrived the Red Chambers to see that her nameplate was missing from her regular seat and refused to use the seat allocated to her, raised her voice in protest, demanding an explanation as to why her seat was relocated, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules that protects the privilege of members.
The situation caused rowdiness in the chambers as Senator Natasha lashed out, demanding answers why her seat should be relocated without her consent.
This led Senate President, Godswill Akpabio to call on Senate security so walk her out of the chambers. The situation was however, put under control after fellow lawmakers intervened and saved the situation from escalating out of hand.
As plenary commenced, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, representing APC, Bornu North, raised a pointing order, alerting Akpabio about Senator Akpoti’s ‘improper sitting position’.
While Munguno was still speaking, Senator Akpoti interjected, demanding explanations as to why her seat was changed without her consent.
Her words: ‘ I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege,’ She lashed out at the Senate President.
As a result of this interruption of the session, Akpabio ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to walk Senator Akpoti out of the chamber, warning that she could face being suspended if she continued to disrupt the house.
As the security personnel attempted to carry out Akpabio’s orders, Akpoti’s microphone was turned off. During this chaos, Senator Natasha Akpoti continued to resist and further vented her anger against the treatment shown her by the Senate President.
As soon as the others sensed that the situation was getting out of hand, some of the lawmakers intervened and called for calm. Among the senators that helped calm the situation were lawmakers from Kogi State, led by Idah Jibrin (APC, Kogi East). Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele of APC, Ekiti Central pleaded with Akpoti to allow peace to reign.
In reaction to the disruption, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that the situation was similar to that of South African parliament where opposition leader Julius Malema is constantly asked to ‘sit down’ during sessions.
He made reference to a similar incident that occurred during his time in the 8th Assembly when his seat was repositioned, just like in the case of Senator Natasha Akpoti. He explained that he however handled it differently and better, with a sense of decorum.
Hear him: ‘In the 8th Senate, my seat was changed without prior notice. I voiced my displeasure, but the matter was resolved internally.’
Akpabio also stated that it was better to revert to the old microphone system in order to prevent lawmakers from speaking out of turn. He sarcastically apologized ‘on behalf of the contractor’ concerning the situation.
Senator representing APC Kogi West, Sunday Karimi defended the seat allocation process and described Akpoti’s reaction as unnecessary. He urged her to apologize.
Akpabio emphasized that the seat reallocation is a routine exercise governed by the Senate’s Standing Orders. He explained that lawmakers must speak from assigned seats which can be changed at the discretion of the Senate President.
