A mild drama ensued on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday as the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, marked his 63rd birthday.
Coincidentally, December 9 is also the birthday of Senator
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi-Central. She is 47.
It has been the Senate’s tradition for the President to
honour senators marking their birthdays by calling their names for recognition
and best wishes.
On Tuesday, while calling the names of the December 9
celebrators, Akpabio called his own name, then paused when he got to the name
of Akpoti-Uduaghan, saying, “and another person, Distinguished Senator Natasha
Akpoti-Uduaghan.”
Senators in unison, burst out laughing as they saw Akpabio
laughing while mentioning Senator Natasha’s name.
The message was not lost on the floor. Both Akpabio and
Natasha are not the best of friends for now.
Just last week, the long-standing disagreement between the
two resurfaced online again as Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed that Akpabio had sued
her for N200billion over her sexual allegation claim.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Nigerian Senate for six
months due to misconduct and violation of Senate Standing Rules (2023 as
amended), stemming from a dispute over seating arrangements that escalated into
disorderly conduct during plenary sessions.
Amid the development, she made a sexual harassment
allegation against Akpabio on February 20, 2025, though the Senate clarified
that the suspension was for breaching rules and bringing the chamber into
public opprobrium, not because of the allegation.
Since resumption from the suspension on October 7,
Akpoti-Uduaghan has kept a rather low profile, especially on the floor of the
Senate, compared to the period before her disagreement with Akpabio started,
when she was very visible.
The two senators have also tried to avoid each other as much
as possible these days.
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