‘National Assembly Is For Serious Business, Not Content Creation’ – Senate Spokesman Criticizes Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Over Seat Dispute

The Nigerian Senate has responded to a heated disagreement involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who clashed with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over a change in her seat during Thursday’s plenary session.

The controversy arose when Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), rejected the seat assigned to her, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules, which she argued protected the privileges of members. The dispute escalated to the point where Akpabio called on Senate security to remove her from the chamber, but intervention from fellow lawmakers prevented further conflict.

In response to the incident, Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions, asserting that the National Assembly was not a platform for content creation. Speaking on Channels Television’s *Sunrise Daily*, Adaramodu stated, “The National Assembly is for serious business, not for content creation in entertainment.”

Addressing accusations of bullying within the Senate, Adaramodu dismissed claims that Akpoti-Uduaghan was being sidelined. He highlighted that, as a first-time senator, she had been appointed to chair three committees, exceeding the standard entitlement of one. He noted that she currently oversees the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Committee on NGOs.

Regarding potential disciplinary action, Adaramodu indicated that the matter would not be pursued further. He noted that Senator Isah Jubril, a colleague from Kogi State, had already apologized on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s behalf, and the Senate had accepted the apology. “The Senate as a whole has already accepted that tendered apology, so we are not going to revisit that,” he concluded.