Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has accused the Senate leadership of denying her privileges and marginalising her role as a lawmaker. The allegations were made during an interview on Brekete Family, a popular human rights radio and television programme in Abuja, on Friday.
The controversy follows a heated exchange during Thursday’s plenary session, where Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to occupy a reassigned seat. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker openly challenged the decision, sparking a confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed the incident reflects a broader pattern of marginalisation she has faced since her first clash with the Senate President. She alleged restrictions on her participation in international engagements and exclusion from key legislative opportunities.
“My attention was drawn that you were actually speaking about the issue on your programme today, so thank you so much for your concern,” she said during the interview.
The senator disclosed that she was removed from several international activities, including a United Nations event for which she had been nominated. “I have been pulled out of many international activities that I have been part of since that whole nightclub incident that happened last year. 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 that they would not promote me in any event internationally,” she stated.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also revealed that she has had to personally fund her participation in international events over the past year. “So every event that I have been going to since last year has been self-sponsored. I have been going through a lot,” she added.
Addressing the events of the plenary session, the senator defended her refusal to occupy the reassigned seat, explaining that she invoked parliamentary rules to protect her privileges. “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,” she explained.
The senator’s allegations have ignited fresh discussions on fairness and equity within the Senate, particularly regarding how privileges and opportunities are allocated among lawmakers. The claims also spotlight lingering tensions in the upper chamber, raising questions about internal dynamics and treatment of dissenting voices.
The Senate leadership has yet to respond to the allegations.
