By peterside Rejoice
The lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was on Monday involved in another confrontation at the National Assembly, this time at the office of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission, Senator Titus Zam.
The incident followed a budget defence session organised by the committee earlier in the day at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
Sources within the legislature disclosed that the budget defence, scheduled to commence at about 10 a.m., had already been concluded before Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived at the venue. It was gathered that proceedings ended after the invited officials concluded their presentation and responded to questions from members of the committee present.
On arrival and discovering that the session had ended, the Kogi Central senator was said to have expressed displeasure over what she reportedly viewed as her exclusion from the deliberations. She subsequently moved to the office of the committee chairman, accompanied by some of her legislative aides, to seek clarification on why the session proceeded and ended in her absence.
Eyewitnesses within the National Assembly complex said the situation escalated when the senator and her aides were allegedly prevented from gaining access to Zam’s office. Staff attached to the chairman’s office were said to have informed her that the chairman was unavailable.
The development reportedly triggered a heated verbal exchange between members of staff and individuals in the senator’s entourage. Voices were raised as both sides traded accusations over access and protocol.
In the ensuing commotion, one of the senator’s aides was accused of physically confronting a staff member attached to the chairman’s office. The scuffle attracted attention from lawmakers, aides, journalists, and passersby within the complex.
Security personnel attached to the National Assembly were immediately deployed to the scene to restore order. The security officers intervened and dispersed those involved, bringing the situation under control.
Although calm was eventually restored, sources said the atmosphere around the committee wing of the complex remained tense for some time.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Akpoti-Uduaghan nor Zam had issued an official statement regarding the incident. Efforts to obtain comments from the office of the Senate spokesperson were unsuccessful.
Monday’s development marks the latest in a series of recent confrontations involving the Kogi Central lawmaker during Senate proceedings.
Last week, Akpoti-Uduaghan was involved in a tense exchange with the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Steel Development, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, during an interactive session with the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu.
The disagreement reportedly occurred when Ndubueze moved to conclude the minister’s appearance before the committee, while Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted on continuing her remarks. She was said to have described the action as disrespectful before exiting the session.
Observers within the National Assembly note that the recurring disagreements underscore growing tensions within some Senate committees, particularly during budget defence sessions where issues of procedure, recognition, and participation often generate friction among members.
The Senate leadership is yet to indicate whether any disciplinary or administrative steps will be taken in relation to Monday’s incident.
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