Senate President Godswill Akpabio has pleaded with the Chairman of Senate Services, Sen. Steve Karimi, to forgive his colleague from Kogi State, Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for her conduct on the floor of the Red Chamber.
A heated argument broke out in the Senate on Thursday after Senator Natasha protested the reallocation of her seat.
The incident began when Sen. Natasha, who represents Kogi Central, discovered her seat had been changed without prior notice. Upset by the change, she removed her name tag from the new seat and placed it back on her original seat. Her frustration grew louder as she accused the Chairman of Senate Services, Sen. Steve Karimi of Kogi West, of being behind the seat reallocation.
Sen. Karimi, visibly angered by the accusation, raised a “matter of privilege” on the Senate floor. He urged the Senate to refer the issue to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges for investigation, saying his rights as a senator had been violated by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public outburst.
“Earlier this morning before sitting, there was an uproar in the chamber over the change of seats,” Karimi explained. “The President of the Senate has the power to change seats at any time without prior notice. Sen. Samson Ekong was the first person who approached me regarding the change of seats, and I told him I wasn’t even aware.
“Before long, Sen. Natasha was shouting my name all over the place. I want to say that my privilege has been breached,” he added.
Karimi further expressed disappointment, reminding the Senate how the Kogi caucus had supported Akpoti-Uduaghan when she first joined the chamber.
“When she arrived here, we fought for her to ensure she got a chairmanship position. I don’t understand why the chamber should be turned upside down over seating arrangements. I want her to come out and apologize to us,” Karimi stated firmly.
Senate President Akpabio eventually intervened.
“I can see that you feel very hurt. You came under Order 10 of our rules. This is the Nigerian Senate. The matter, according to our rules, is to be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges,” Akpabio said while addressing Karimi.
“I appeal that we do not go further. The matter will be dealt with at the appropriate time,” Akpabio added.
Comment
Power Plays and Political Grievances: The Hidden Battles in Nigeria’s Senate
🚨One thing with Nigeria politicians is that, they know how to fight by hiding behind laws. If a Governor want her deputy remove within one week, he will bring out the law she has breached. But, within him, he knows it’s more than what he put on the surface.
Madam Nat was wrong for not taking the officially re-allocated seat but, the fight is more than just the seat. The grievances has been building up. You can see from the video where Madam said, she has been enjoying the attempt to silent her voice and that, she will tell Nigerians how she has been malign by Akpabio. Senator Ireti complained bitterly about the same treatment few months ago. Notwithstanding, my only concern was, she should have taken the seat and stand up from there to address the menace of the Senate President as she alleged to. In a calm voice, let the cat out of the bag.
Few weeks ago, the Senate President removed Senator Natasha from chairman, committee on local content. Initially, I assumed the change was as a result of the chaos that happened between the duo sometimes last year where Akpabio uttered the “night club comment”. After the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ajaokuta 5 mini LNG plant projects few weeks ago, I read another article where the people of Urhobo in Dellta state vowed to stop the implementation of the project. According to the writer, he said, the source of the gas is in Delta and such projects should be located in Urhobo community. He wailed so much about the youth of Urhobo touring the community without job and that such projects would have helped them. He said they will fight against the implementation of the projects with everything both physically and spiritually.
New revelation at my disposal affirmed that, SP was furious about the project because, his permission wasn’t sought after neither was he consulted. Of course, he wouldn’t give his consent if the consultation was made. He may have suggested Delta state for such projects if consulted. But, the project was that of the FG so I thought. As a chairman, committee on local content, it would be distasteful to say Senator Natasha may not have contributed no matter how little on the realisation of the project. Everything is by lobbying in this country and I think her position as the chairman, committee on local content by then placed her at an advantage position. FG hardly remember us in Kogi State.
If these narrative at my disposal are sound, then, it explains why she was removed as chairman, local content committee and sent to Diaspora committee; ditto for the breakdown of cordial relationship between the two former lovebirds. Whatever may be the case, her removal is definitely not for good or out of greater needs of the country. My only wish for her is a timely intervention for their relationship to be restored. A smooth relationship will benefit us more as her Constituency. I may have my personal objections to Madam Nat which is a public knowledge but, I love my people and anything that will benefit them has my blessings.
Political arena is a tortuous and winding roads needing both lobbying and boycotting at the same time.
I am going to organise prayer for Senator Natasha; you don’t need to join, just send 2k to my account as your contribution 🤲
