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| Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio when she was sworn in |
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has alleged that the Senate leadership is systematically denying her privileges and attempting to suppress her voice.
She made these claims during an interview on Brekete Family, a Human Rights Radio and Television programme, on Friday, February 21, 2025.
The controversy began during Thursday’s plenary session when Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to accept a reassigned seat in the Senate chamber.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker argued that the change was a deliberate move to sideline her and diminish her visibility in legislative proceedings. This led to a heated exchange with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Akpoti-Uduaghan invoked Senate Order 10, which protects members’ privileges, during the confrontation. She later revealed that this incident is part of a broader pattern of marginalization she has faced since clashing with the Senate President last year.
She claimed her participation in international events has been curtailed, including being excluded from a United Nations event for which she was nominated.
She said, “My attention was drawn that you were actually speaking about the issue on your programme today, so thank you so much for your concern.
“I have been going through a lot,” she said. “A lot of my privileges have been denied. I have been pulled out of many international activities that I was part of since last year. Every event I’ve attended has been self-sponsored.”
“I just wanted to be given the chance to work. A lot of my privileges have been denied. I have been pulled out of many international activities that I have been part of since that whole nightclub incident that happened last year.
“In fact, there was even a United Nations event that I was supposed to attend, which I was nominated for, but my name was struck out that they would not promote me in any event internationally.
“So every event that I have been going to since last year has been self-sponsored. I have been going through a lot. Yesterday, I didn’t speak out of order. He was reading my suspension, and I had to invoke Order 10, which is an order of privilege.”
Despite these challenges, Akpoti-Uduaghan remains resolute and vowed to continue serving her constituents. The incident has sparked debates about fairness and representation within the Senate.
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