On February 20, 2025, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central and Senator Yemi Adaramodu of Ekiti South engaged in a heated debate in the Senate. Adaramodu has offered new information on the matter.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s refusal to occupy a newly assigned seat caused a fracas that eventually prevented her from speaking during plenary, plunging the session into chaos.
On Wednesday, Senator Natasha filed a formal petition alleging Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, misuse of office, and willful obstruction of her legislative duties, further intensifying the crisis.
The claims have been flatly refuted by Akpabio, who has declared, “I do not harass women.” At the same time, the sexual harassment charge was rejected by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which deemed it “dead on arrival.”
Adaramodu supported the Senate’s decision in an interview with Channels Television, stating that senators have to be seated correctly beforehand in order to participate in talks.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of harassment and obstruction by Senate President Godswill Akpabio were also rejected by him, who emphasized that her activities caused disruptions to the session.
According to Senator Adaramodu, “there had been a defined regulation since the Fourth Republic began in 1999. Our orders had also mentioned a procedure known as standing regulations. Not until 26 years after Natasha joined the team would it be disregarded and altered as a result of her.
“Let me tell you what really happened,” he added, discussing the Senate session in detail. Upon charging a seat, the presiding officer notifies the sergeant-at-arms. Additionally, the sergeant-at-arms will alert the senator after being informed.
He went on to say, “Our own sister-Senator then arrived over half an hour before the plenary that day. When she arrived earlier, she had already been notified. Never before has she arrived so early. Upon her arrival, she discovered that around four senators had had their seats switched.
However, she hurled that name inscription. Before the plenary, she threw it off and began cursing and shouting abuse. She did not take the seat that was assigned to her but instead waited for that plenary.
“She sat on the previous seat and the person that was supposed to sit there could not find a seat to sit,” Adaramodu added, attributing the disturbances to her refusal to move. She then brought up an orderly point.
“And then the chief whip, who is supposed to maintain decorum, now raised his hand that a senator is not properly seated and until you are properly seated…you cannot make contributions either on privileges or on rights you cannot make any contribution,” he added, explaining why she was not allowed to speak.
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She allegedly refused to move even after being ordered to do so, saying, “Even as she was prevented from making contributions, she was still shouting then it is prerogative, it is there in our order that the presiding officer can order you out.”
Akpabio attempted to enforce disciplinary actions, but other MPs stepped in and stopped him.
The Senate President, the presiding officer, was persuaded by the other senators not to fire her. During that day’s plenary, she was therefore offered the chance to even sit in the incorrect seat. Being out of order makes it impossible to request a point of order.
In closing, he emphasized the significance of adhering to Senate procedures, saying, “You cannot claim you can speak from anywhere.” That implies that a senator might be at the market and raise their hands if that is feasible.
