Tensions surfaced in the National Assembly as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, raised concerns over what she described as a persistent curtailment of her legislative prerogatives in the 10th Senate. The senator’s protest followed her alleged omission from the membership of the Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan reportedly arrived at the committee meeting fully prepared to engage in proceedings, only to discover that her name was missing from the official attendance list. Upon noticing the omission, she sought to consult the Committee Clerk to determine the reason for her exclusion.
She was informed that the Clerk was in the office of the Committee Chairman, Titus Tartenger Zam, prompting her to proceed there for clarification. During the ensuing exchange, the senator alleged that the Chairman indicated his actions were based on instructions from higher authorities, though no specifics were provided.
Expressing deep concern, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan described the incident as part of a recurring pattern of marginalisation, stressing that all Senators are constitutionally equal in status, authority, and mandate. She questioned the procedural and constitutional justification for excluding her from a committee whose work directly affects her region in the North Central geopolitical zone.
The lawmaker further alleged that tensions escalated when aides attached to the Committee Chairman confronted her media team. She claimed that approximately six aides, including the Chairman’s secretary, seized her cinematographer’s phone and engaged in verbal hostility, a development she described as unacceptable.
Reaffirming her commitment to fairness and institutional integrity, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted that her demand was rooted in respect for the electoral mandate entrusted to her by the people of Kogi Central. She pledged to continue advocating for equitable treatment whenever legislative rights are undermined.
The incident has caused discussion within political and parliamentary circles, with observers urging strict adherence to legislative procedures, transparency in committee administration, and the preservation of equality among members of the 10th National Assembly.