Altercation: Akpabio Moves Against Natasha, Refers Her To Ethics Committee
Following the altercation that ensued over Senate sitting arrangement involving the Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central senatorial district and the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, the upper chamber of the National Assembly on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, referred the matter to its Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petition for investigation and possible disciplinary action.
The referral to the committee followed a point of order raised by Senator Yemi Adaramodu, who is the spokesman of the Senate, claiming that his privilege was breached by the attitude of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who refused to take the new seat allocated to her.
In his contribution to the point of order raised, Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele said the proper thing to do was to refer the matter to the Ethics Committee and thereby moved a motion for a vote of confidence on the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
While seconding Bamidele’s motion, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, however pleaded with the Senate President to be lenient in handling the issue at hand as a father for overall interest of the Senate.
As soon as the motion was raised and seconded, senators present at the Tuesday plenary joined in condemning the conduct of Senator Natasha, saying it breached the Senate standing rules, which empowers the Senate President to allocate seats to senators.
Thereafter, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio referred the matter to the Senate Committee on Ethics Code of Conduct and Public Petition and directed that the committee to report back within two weeks.
