By: Abba Onyekachukwu, Abuja.
The Nigerian Senate has launched an investigation into Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s (PDP Kogi-Central) conduct during last Thursday’s plenary session. The probe was triggered by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s refusal to accept a new seat allocated to her, openly defying Senate President Godswill Akpabio and reading a point of order despite being ruled out of order.
The incident, which created a scene in the chambers, was deemed to have done “grave damage” to the image of the Senate. Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Committee on Media and Public Affairs, informed the Senate that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions had sparked negative publicity and image bashing for the red chamber.
The Senate has referred the matter to its Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions for further investigation. Senators voted to approve the referral, with several lawmakers, including Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Minority Leader Abba Moro, and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, condemning Akpoti-Uduaghan’s conduct as a contravention of the Senate’s Standing Orders.
This development comes after Senate President Godswill Akpabio appealed for calm and forgiveness following the heated dispute between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senator Steve Karimi over the seating reassignment.
