The Nigerian Senate has referred Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to its Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions Committee for investigation following her outburst over the reallocation of her seat in the Red Chamber. The committee has been given two weeks to report back with its findings and recommendations.

Presiding over the matter, Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed concerns about Senator Uduaghan’s conduct, emphasizing the importance of decorum and adherence to legislative procedures. He noted that her reaction to the seat reallocation displayed a lack of understanding of Senate rules.

“Even the first time the issue came up, our distinguished sister was not even speaking from her seat. That was when we tried to call her to order. Part of the problem is that when people come from courts—court-declared senators—they miss the orientation,” Akpabio remarked.

He further directed the National Assembly management to organize periodic orientation programs, particularly for senators who assume office midstream following court rulings.

Akpabio also recounted how Senator Uduaghan attempted to speak on the day she was sworn in, despite just receiving the Senate rule book. He said:

“On the day she was sworn in, she raised her hand to speak. I was scared, but I had to recognize her. I said to myself, ‘She just received the rule book. Has she even opened it to know what she’s going to say?’ But she made her contribution that day, and two days later, she brought a motion. There’s nothing wrong with being vibrant, but there’s a lot wrong when you don’t know anything about the procedure.”

Akpabio cited Section 66 of the Senate rule book to justify the disciplinary action against Uduaghan, which outlines how senators who persist in irrelevant arguments or disorderly conduct should be handled:

  • Section 66(1): The Senate President or the Committee Chairman, upon noticing a senator engaging in tedious repetition or irrelevance, may direct them to discontinue their speech.
  • Section 66(2): If a senator refuses to comply, the Senate President may order them to withdraw from the chamber for the remainder of the day’s sitting.

The Senate President emphasized that the rule book grants him the authority to maintain order, stating:
“Even when you are talking, the Senate President has the right to ask you to discontinue your speech.”

In the wake of the incident, the Senate on Tuesday passed a vote of confidence in Senate President Godswill Akpabio, endorsing his leadership style.

The Senate Spokesperson, Adeyemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South), raised a point of order drawing attention to Senator Uduaghan’s actions during plenary on Thursday, last week, when she protested the sudden change of her seat without prior notice. Adaramodu criticized her for raising her voice during plenary, saying it created a wrong impression, which the media had since amplified.

Following discussions, the Leader of the Senate moved a motion urging support for the Senate President’s handling of the situation, which received overwhelming approval. He also moved for the matter to be formally referred to the Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, a motion that was massively voted for by the Senate.

With the case now before the Ethics and Conduct Committee, Senator Uduaghan is expected to defend her actions before the panel. The committee’s findings and recommendations will be presented to the Senate within two weeks for further deliberation.

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