By Abiola Olawale
The Nigerian Senate has referred Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District of Kogi State at the Senate, to its Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions for investigation.
This decision comes after a recent incident in the Senate chamber involving a dispute over her seating arrangement.
The altercation occurred on February 20, when Natasha clashed with the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio over a change in her designated seat.
During plenary on Tuesday, the matter was raised by Senate spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu, who argued that the Senate’s reputation was souled by Natasha’s refusal to accept her newly allocated seat.
He said he has been junketing from one media house to another to explain the side of the red chamber on the issue, saying that as the image maker of the Senate, it is difficult to mend an image that has been broken to pieces as a result of the posturing of Akpoti-Uduaghan over a simple matter like seat reallocation and committee chairmanship.
Other senators condemned her action, asserting that it violated the Senate’s standing rules, which grant the Senate President authority to assign seats. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele supported the matter that it should be referred to the Ethics Committee for further review.
Akpabio then directed the committee, chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun, to investigate the incident and submit a report within two weeks.
This development follows reports of ongoing tensions for Natasha, who has previously alleged experiencing harassment and intimidation within the Senate.
