Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, has alleged that she is being denied several privileges as a lawmaker. According to her, she has been excluded from key international engagements and has faced unfair treatment from the Senate leadership since her clash with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The lawmaker made these revelations during an interview on Brekete Family, a popular Human Rights Radio and Television programme in Abuja.

Rowdy Senate Session Over Seat Reassignment

The tension between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate leadership came to a head on Thursday during a plenary session when she discovered that her seat had been reassigned. Upon resumption, she found that her designated seat had been moved, a decision she strongly opposed, leading to a heated exchange in the chamber.

The situation escalated when she refused to comply with the new seat arrangement, prompting a rowdy session. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) senator openly challenged the Senate President, demanding an explanation for the change.

“I Have Been Going Through a Lot” – Akpoti-Uduaghan Speaks Out

During her interview, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that she has been deliberately sidelined from important legislative activities, both nationally and internationally, since her first clash with Akpabio.

“I have been going through a lot, and I have remained quiet because I didn’t want to be interpreted wrongly. I didn’t want any lawsuit against me. I just wanted to be given the chance to work.”

The senator further alleged that she has been removed from several international delegations, including a United Nations event where she had been nominated to participate.

“In fact, there was even a United Nations event that I was supposed to attend, which I was nominated for, but my name was struck out. They said they would not promote me in any event internationally.”

She also revealed that, as a result of her exclusion, she has been self-sponsoring all her international engagements since last year.

“Every event that I have been going to since last year has been self-sponsored. I have been going through a lot.”

Clash Over Suspension Order

Akpoti-Uduaghan explained that during the plenary session, she invoked Order 10, a parliamentary rule concerning privileges, after noticing that the Senate President was reading out a suspension order against her.

“Yesterday, I didn’t speak out of order. He was reading my suspension, and I had to invoke Order 10, which is an order of privilege.”

While the Senate leadership has yet to formally respond, this development has sparked concerns over internal political tensions within the National Assembly, particularly regarding gender representation, power struggles, and party politics.

Political Fallout and Implications

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations raise serious questions about the treatment of lawmakers, particularly female senators, within Nigeria’s legislative system. If her claims are true, it could indicate a pattern of exclusion and power play that undermines democratic representation.

Her ongoing conflict with the Senate leadership could also have implications for her legislative effectiveness and future political aspirations. While she has vowed to continue performing her duties, her exclusion from key legislative activities and international representation suggests a politically motivated rift.

The situation is expected to generate further discussions both within and outside the National Assembly, as political observers continue to monitor how the Senate leadership addresses these allegations.