A dramatic confrontation unfolded in the Senate on Thursday when Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central out of the chamber.
The incident was sparked by a report from Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno, who informed the chamber that Uduaghan, had refused to move to a newly assigned seat.
Monguno explained that the seat reassignment was necessary to fill gaps left by two opposition senators who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Referencing Senate Order 24, Monguno emphasised his role as Chief Whip, while also citing Order 6, which grants the Senate President authority to assign and reassign seats as needed.
He further pointed out that senators are expected to speak only from their designated seats, giving Akpabio the power to deny recognition to anyone speaking from an unassigned position.
In protest, Senator Uduaghan stood up from her original seat, invoking Order 10, claiming her privileges had been violated.
However, Akpabio swiftly ruled her out of order, affirming that she could not be recognised while speaking from an unauthorised location.
When Senator Natasha raised her hand to speak, she was denied recognition by the Senate President for not addressing the chamber from her newly assigned seat.
Unwilling to relent, Senator Natasha vocalised her objection, openly challenging the Senate President’s decision.
She said: “I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege.
“I’m not afraid of further being silenced. I will not be shoved into the corner. As the Senator duly elected by my people, I choose to remain in this seat, come what may. The worst you will do Mr. Senate president is to suspend me.”