A heated exchange unfolded in the Senate chamber on Wednesday as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) clashed with Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio over a controversial seating arrangement change. The tension escalated to the point where the Senate President ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove the lawmaker from the chamber.

The incident occurred when the plenary, presided over by Akpabio, resumed session. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan discovered that her seat had been relocated without prior notice or her consent. Refusing to comply, she openly challenged the decision, igniting a dramatic standoff.

Chief Whip Senator Mohammed Ali Monguno raised a point of order, alerting the Senate President to what he termed an “improper seating position” by the Kogi lawmaker. As Monguno spoke, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan interjected forcefully, demanding explanations.

“Why was my seat moved without my consent?” she queried, standing her ground despite the chamber’s growing tension.

In response, Senate President Akpabio upheld the seating change and ruled against her protest. However, when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to speak, she was denied recognition on the grounds that she was not addressing the chamber from her newly assigned seat. This led to a fiery protest from the Kogi senator, who refused to back down.

“I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege,” she declared, directly confronting Akpabio.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan went on to accuse the Senate President of deliberately sidelining her, citing previous instances where she had been denied opportunities to present bills for a second reading. The standoff intensified, leading Akpabio to order the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort her out of the chamber.

However, following interventions from various lawmakers, the situation was de-escalated, and calm was restored. Despite the order, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan remained adamant, refusing to leave her seat.

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