Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, has faulted Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over her protest against a change in her seating arrangement in the Senate chamber.
The controversy began on Thursday when Akpoti-Uduaghan, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator, refused to occupy the newly assigned seat, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules, which safeguards members’ privileges.
Her reassignment followed a reshuffle necessitated by opposition lawmakers defecting to the majority caucus. However, she strongly resisted the move, accusing the Senate leadership of attempting to silence her.
“I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege,” she declared during the heated session.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio called for security personnel to remove her from the chamber, but fellow lawmakers intervened, preventing further escalation.
Reacting to the incident on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Adaramodu dismissed her protest, stating that the National Assembly was not a platform for entertainment.
“The National Assembly is for serious business, not content creation,” he remarked.
He also refuted claims that Akpoti-Uduaghan was being sidelined, noting that she chairs three Senate committees, including Foreign Affairs and NGOs.
“If she feels bullied or sidelined, as a first-timer, she should note that she has been appointed to chair three committees, which is more than the usual one,” he added.
On possible disciplinary action, Adaramodu confirmed that Senator Isah Jubril, her colleague from Kogi State, had apologised on her behalf, and the Senate had accepted the apology.
“With that, the matter is considered closed,” he said.
