Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has pleaded with his colleagues to forgive Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over her outburst today, February 20 during the plenary session.
Akpabio particularly appealed to the Chairman of Senate Services, Senator Steve Karimi, who was the main target of Natasha verbal onslaught to forgive her actions and not insist on strictly following Senate rules, which could have led to her being sanctioned.
The Senate President spoke to Senator Natasha, saying: “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.
“I appeal that we do not go further. The matter will be dealt with at the appropriate time.”
Senator Natasha, who represents Kogi Central, had protested the reallocation of her seat today, February 20, by the removal of her name-tag from her new seat and placing it on her previous seat.
In the process, Natasha verbally attacked the Senate President and Senator Karimi, accusing Karimi of being responsible for the seat reallocation.
But Senator Karimi, who represents Ogun West, raised a matter of privilege on the Senate floor, reporting Natasha’s conduct and requesting a referral to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges for investigation and enforcement of the Senate’s rules.
Narrating his ordeal, Karimi said that Natasha caused an uproar in the chamber by “shouting my name all over the place.
“Earlier this morning before sitting, there was an uproar in the chamber over the change of seats.
“The President of the Senate has the power to change seats at any time without prior notice.
“Senator 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, Senator Natasha was shouting my name all over the place. I want to say that my privilege has been breached.”
Senator Karimi, who was visibly upset, recalled how the Kogi State caucus rallied around Natasha when she first joined the Senate.
“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.”
