Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is set to face the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions over a dispute on seating arrangements in the chamber. The controversy began when Akpoti-Uduaghan discovered that her seat had been reassigned without prior notice, prompting her to challenge the decision and sparking a heated exchange with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The incident has reignited debates about parliamentary etiquette and the treatment of lawmakers within Nigeria’s legislative framework. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions were deemed a “procedural infraction” by Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu, who cited Orders 1B and 10 of the Senate Standing Rules.

The Senate has unanimously voted to refer Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun, for a disciplinary review. The committee has been given two weeks to report its findings.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s refusal to comply with the new seating arrangement was seen as a breach of parliamentary rules, with Adaramodu emphasizing that the Senate is not a platform for “content creation” but a place for lawmaking and oversight. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele also stressed the importance of maintaining parliamentary rules and procedures, dismissing suggestions that the dispute was rooted in gender bias or discrimination.

The incident has also raised questions about the treatment of female lawmakers in Nigeria’s legislative chambers. Cynthia Mbamalu, Director of Programmes at Yiaga Africa, criticized the handling of the situation, arguing that Akpoti-Uduaghan was not given a fair opportunity to present her concerns.

As the committee reviews the incident, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s fate remains uncertain. The Senate’s decision to refer her to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions marks a significant development in the controversy, highlighting the importance of adhering to parliamentary rules and procedures.