Tension flared in the Nigerian Senate on Thursday, as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, disrupted proceedings over a sudden change in her seating arrangement without prior notice.
The plenary session, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, was moving smoothly until Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Ali Monguno raised a point of order, calling attention to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s improper seating position.
Chaos in the Senate Chamber
Before Monguno could fully state his case, Akpoti-Uduaghan erupted in protest, demanding an explanation for the unauthorized change of her seat.
📢 Key moments from the disruption:
Heated exchange: The senator engaged in a shouting match over the seating issue.
Security intervention: The Sergeant-at-Arms surrounded her, attempting to escort her out.
Senate President’s intervention: Akpabio’s effort to calm tensions was ignored, as Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted on a clear explanation.
With the situation escalating, Senate officials shut down the public address system, helping to restore order after the commotion.
What’s Next?
The reason behind the seat change remains unclear, but the incident has raised questions about internal politics and protocol in the Senate. Many are eager to see if this will lead to a larger dispute or simply be resolved behind closed doors.