Natasha To Face Ethics And Privileges Com’tte Over Protest On Floor Of Senate

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has appealed for calm following a heated dispute between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senator Steve Karimi over a seating reassignment in the Red Chamber.

The clash occurred on Thursday when Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, protested the reallocation of her seat by forcibly removing her name tag from the new seat and placing it on her previous one. She also verbally confronted Karimi, accusing him of orchestrating the seat reassignment.

Senator Karimi, who represents Kogi, raised a matter of privilege on the Senate floor, stating that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions had disrupted proceedings and personally targeted him.

“Before long, Sen. Natasha was shouting my name all over the place. I want to say that my privilege has been breached,” Karimi lamented. He further recalled how the Kogi caucus had supported Akpoti-Uduaghan upon her arrival in the Senate, adding, “I don’t understand why the chamber should be turned upside down over seating arrangements. I want her to come out and apologize.”

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Acknowledging Karimi’s grievances, Senate President Akpabio appealed for restraint, urging Karimi to let go of the matter despite the Senate rules allowing for disciplinary action.

“I can see that you feel very hurt. You came under Order 10 of our rules. This is the Nigerian Senate. The matter, according to our rules, is to be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges. I appeal that we do not go further. The matter will be dealt with at the appropriate time,” Akpabio said.

His intervention helped to calm Karimi, preventing an escalation that could have led to sanctions against Akpoti-Uduaghan.

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The incident highlights ongoing tensions within the Senate as lawmakers navigate internal power dynamics and seating arrangements in the chamber.