Drama as Natasha clashes with leadership over seat reassignment

A heated confrontation erupted in the Senate on Monday as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan clashed with the Senate leadership over a seating arrangement dispute.

Tensions escalated when Senator Natasha discovered that her seat had been relocated upon resumption of plenary. Refusing to comply with the change, she openly challenged the decision, leading to a dramatic standoff.

The issue was raised by Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, who cited Senate rules to justify the reassignment of seats, explaining that the restructuring was necessary due to shifts in party alignments, particularly opposition members moving to the majority wing. Monguno also noted that seating assignments fall under the prerogative of the Senate President.

He further warned that any senator who refused to comply could face disciplinary actions, including being barred from speaking during plenary sessions.

Ruling in favor of Monguno’s point of order, Senate President Godswill Akpabio upheld the seat change. However, when Senator Natasha attempted to speak, she was denied recognition because she was not addressing the chamber from her newly assigned seat.

Visibly upset, the Kogi lawmaker raised her voice in protest, defiantly confronting Akpabio.

“I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege,” she declared.

Watch the video below;

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As tensions rose, Akpabio ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove her from the chamber, further intensifying the standoff. However, interventions from fellow lawmakers helped restore calm, but Senator Natasha remained firm in her refusal to move.