Senate: Akpabio gives marching order as Natasha causes scare 

Drama ensued on the floor of the Senate Thursday between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan ( Kogi Central) over her sitting position.

Trouble started when the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Tahir Monguno (Borno North), raised orders 6, and 24( 2A) of the Senate standing rules to draw the attention of the Senate to refusal of Senator Natasha to sit on a new seat allocated to her.

Monguno stated that the new sitting arrangement arose due to movement of some opposition members to the majority wing. 

“Such adjustments fall within the constitutional prerogative of the Senate President.

“Failure to comply with the new seating arrangement could lead to penalties, including being barred from participating in Senate discussions.

“Any senator who refuses to comply with a seat reassignment will not be recognised or allowed to contribute to debate,” he said. 

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, upheld  Monguno’s position by ruling in favour of his point of  order. 

But Senator Natasha’s attempt to raise a counter point of order on breach of personal privileges, was rebuffed by the Senate President which resulted into heated arguments between him and Natasha.

Natasha in her protest said, “I don’t care if I am silenced, I am not afraid. You have denied me my privilege.

“Mr Senate President, ever since the night-club incident, you have deliberately silenced my voice. 

“My bills have not been able to scale through to second reading.”