Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central sparked a significant uproar in the Nigerian Senate on February 20, 2025, over the unauthorized change of her seat.
The incident unfolded during a plenary session presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, where Akpoti-Uduaghan discovered her nameplate missing from her usual seat and was moved to the last row without her consent.
The situation escalated when Chief Whip Senator Tahir Monguno raised a point of order, justifying the seat reassignment under Senate rules due to recent shifts in party affiliations among senators.
He warned that failure to comply could result in penalties, including being barred from participating in discussions.
Despite this, Akpoti-Uduaghan vocally protested the change, insisting on her right to remain in her original seat and challenging the leadership’s authority.
As tensions rose, Akpabio attempted to restore order but ultimately directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove her from the chamber when she refused to comply.
However, interventions from other senators helped de-escalate the situation, although Akpoti-Uduaghan remained defiant throughout the ordeal.