Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu has sharply criticized Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) over a recent controversy concerning seating arrangements in the Senate chamber.
The dispute erupted when Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules which protects members’ privileges refused to occupy her assigned seat. The situation escalated dramatically when Senate President Godswill Akpabio ordered security to remove her from the chamber. In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan defiantly told Akpabio, “I’m not afraid of you,” refusing to be silenced.
Amid rising tensions, intervention by other lawmakers prevented the situation from spiraling further out of control. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Adaramodu emphasized that the National Assembly is a forum for serious governance rather than entertainment. “What we are saying is that the National Assembly is not for content creation in entertainment. National Assembly is for serious business,” he asserted.
Adaramodu, representing the Ekiti South Senatorial District, also addressed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims of being bullied or sidelined. He pointed out that despite being a first-time senator, she holds the chairmanship of three committees—a privilege usually reserved for only one. “If she is talking like that about being bullied or sidelined, as a first-timer, she even had three committees that she was appointed as chairman. You are entitled to only one committee to be the chairman, and she is in charge of Foreign Affairs and NGOs now,” he explained.
Regarding potential disciplinary measures, Adaramodu mentioned that Senator Isah Jubril from Kogi State has already issued an apology on her behalf, indicating that steps are being taken to address the matter internally.
