Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu on Friday criticized his colleague, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over a seating arrangement dispute in the hallowed chamber.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), refused to use the seat allocated to her on Thursday, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules, which protects members’ privileges.
The disagreement escalated, prompting Senate President Godswill Akpabio to call on Senate security to remove her from the chamber. However, intervention from fellow lawmakers prevented the situation from deteriorating further.
Adaramodu: “Senate Is Not for Entertainment”
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Adaramodu, who represents Ekiti South Senatorial District, dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims of being sidelined or bullied, emphasizing that the Senate is meant for serious legislative work.
“The National Assembly is not for content creation in entertainment. It is for serious business,” he stated.
He also pointed out that as a first-time senator, Akpoti-Uduaghan had been appointed to three committees, including chairing the Foreign Affairs and NGOs committees—more than the usual entitlement of one committee chairmanship.
No Disciplinary Action Against Akpoti-Uduaghan
Despite the controversy, Adaramodu ruled out any disciplinary action against her, noting that her Kogi State colleague, Senator Isah Jubril, had already apologized on her behalf.
“The Senate has accepted the apology, so we will not revisit the matter,” he confirmed.
Yiaga Africa Director Criticizes Senate Leadership
Meanwhile, Cynthia Mbamalu, Director of Programmes at Yiaga Africa, weighed in on the issue, arguing that Akpabio did not allow Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to present her case.
She noted that Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules permits senators to be heard and compared the incident to a similar dispute in 2018 when Akpabio, then a senator, clashed with then-Senate President Bukola Saraki.
“We have seen tougher and angrier agitations from senators without them being questioned. Senator Natasha was not violent or insulting; she simply referred to an order in the rule book,” Mbamalu stated.
