- Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan protested her reassigned seat in the Senate, leading to a heated exchange and referral to a disciplinary committee
- Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed the seat change was a ploy to obstruct her work and accused Senate President Akpabio of inappropriate conduct
- Senator Ireti Kingibe dismissed the claims, emphasizing adherence to Senate rules and noting that other lawmakers also had their seats reassigned
FCT, Abuja - Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has taken a firm stance against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims regarding a recent seat reassignment in the Senate.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, had protested the decision by Senate President Godswill Akpabio to change her designated seat in the chamber.
The incident unfolded during plenary when Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to relocate to her reassigned seat, igniting a heated exchange.
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When she attempted to speak, she was not recognized because she was not seated in the designated spot. Frustrated, she raised her voice, accusing Akpabio of deliberately undermining her parliamentary rights.
Following the outburst, the Senate collectively voted to refer the matter to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for further review.
Akpoti-Uduaghan Alleges Bias and Harassment
Appearing on Arise TV on Friday, February 28, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that the seat reassignment was part of a broader strategy to hinder her legislative contributions.
She further accused Akpabio of inappropriate conduct, claiming he had twice made advances toward her.
Kingibe Responds: ‘Follow the Rules’
In response, Kingibe dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims regarding the seat reassignment.
During her own appearance on Arise TV, she argued that the Kogi senator was not adhering to Senate protocols.
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“The Senate is not a place to contest trivial matters like seating arrangements,” Kingibe remarked.
She explained that the three other female senators chose to remain silent on the matter to avoid making negative public statements about their colleague.
“Silence can be strategic. We didn’t want to publicly criticize her, hoping the issue would resolve itself over time,” she added.
Senate Gender Relations: Progress but Room for Improvement
Kingibe acknowledged that while the Senate has historically not been gender-friendly, progress has been made.
“Yes, the Senate still has a long way to go in terms of gender inclusivity, but improvements are evident. When concerns are raised, the Senate President does take corrective action,” she noted.
She urged women in politics to adhere to institutional regulations, saying,
“It’s crucial that we, as women, follow the established rules of the institutions we choose to serve in.”
Natasha explains why Akpabio is against her
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Usuaghan of Kogi Central has alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio s5xually harassed her, adding that it was the beginning of her challenges in the Senate.
Speaking on sexual harassment, Senator Natasha narrated that it all started in December 2023 when the Senate President hosted senators at his country home in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, and he decided to walk with her at his private residence. However, her husband joined them in the company but was walking behind them.
