Senate Refers Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to Ethics Committee Over Plenary Conduct

Senate Refers Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to Ethics Committee Over Plenary Conduct

The Nigerian Senate has referred Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi) to its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions over alleged disorderly conduct during a recent plenary session.

The decision was made on Tuesday following a voice vote by lawmakers, mandating the committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun (LP, Edo), to investigate the matter and report back within two weeks.

The controversy stems from an altercation between Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate leadership over seat allocation, which sparked heated reactions. Speaking on the matter, Senate spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC-Ekiti), accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of excessive defiance during the February 20 session.

“From that Thursday, the media was awash with this issue and I had to work on mending the perception of the 10th senate.

“The senate is not a platform for content creation but a place for lawmaking and oversight functions,” he said.

Adaramodu called for strict enforcement of discipline, stating that “where there is sin, there must be penalty.”

“This chamber is not a place for theatrics or social media content creation. We are here to legislate, advocate for our constituents and provide oversight over MDAs, not to engage in media dramatisation,” he added.

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC-Ondo) backed the motion, emphasizing the importance of maintaining decorum in the chamber. He compared the Senate’s Standing Orders to sacred texts, urging senators to uphold the institution’s guiding rules.

Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, also supported disciplinary action, reiterating the importance of internal order.

“Under our watch, we will not allow this institution to be discredited beyond what we inherited. Our integrity is non-negotiable,” he said.

Bamidele dismissed claims that the dispute was driven by gender bias, noting that senior senators had accepted seat changes without protest.

Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, described the incident as unnecessary and apologized on behalf of Akpoti-Uduaghan. He urged lawmakers to focus on legislative duties while allowing the Ethics Committee to review the matter.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his ruling, tasked the committee with a thorough review and a report within two weeks. He clarified that while senators could sit anywhere, their contributions must be made from their designated seats.

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“The first day she (Akpoti-Uduaghan) was sworn in, she stood up to contribute and I was worried if she had even read the rule book.

“There is nothing wrong with being vibrant but everything is wrong with disobeying procedures,” he said.

Citing Order 66(2) and Section 55 of the Senate Rules, Akpabio stressed the importance of discipline, adding that senators are prohibited from chewing gum, drinking water, or being disruptive during sittings.

“The rules empower the Senate President to suspend a senator for infractions for, at least, 14 days. It’s not me who made the rules; it’s in the rule book,” he concluded.

The Ethics Committee is expected to submit its findings in two weeks, after which the Senate will decide on any disciplinary measures.