Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan: Three Times She Stood Up Against Bullying

On Thursday, 20th of February 2025, Senate President Godwill Akpabio called for security on the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, after a heated argument over seating arrangements during plenary. The disagreement escalated, causing disruptions in the proceedings, as Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, refused to sit in the seat assigned to her, referencing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules, which protects the rights of members.

Who Is Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan born on December 9, 1979, hails from the Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State but grew up in Ajaokuta, where her father worked as a medical practitioner. She is the second of four siblings and the only daughter of a Nigerian father and a Ukrainian mother.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, married with three children, began her education at Christ the King Nursery and Primary School in Okene, Kogi State, followed by her secondary education at the Federal Government College, Idoani, Ondo State. She pursued a Law degree at the University of Abuja and later attended the Nigerian Law School in Bwari, Abuja, where she was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2005.

In March 2018, she gained widespread attention when she presented an investigative report to the National Assembly, exposing corrupt practices at the Ajaokuta Steel Mill and revealing how government funds had been misused since the establishment of the steel company.

Her advocacy for the revitalization of the steel plant further boosted her profile, and in the 2019 general elections, she ran for the Senate under the Social Democratic Party (SDP). She was defeated by Yakubu Oseni of the APC, who secured 76,120 votes compared to her 48,336 votes. However, she outpaced the incumbent senator, Ahmed Ogembe of the PDP, who garnered 19,359 votes.

In addition to her political pursuits, Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan founded the Builders Hub Impact Investment Programme (BHIIP), an initiative aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and innovation.

Moments Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Stood Up for Herself Against Opposition and Injustice

Resilience Amidst Adversity in 2018 Senate Campaign:

Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has sometime now managed to persevere in the face of opposition despite the chaotic and challenging political landscape she navigates.

Her 2018 attempt to secure a Senate seat for Kogi Central under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was fraught with challenges, including the burning of her office. Though bruised, she was not defeated.

In 2023, she contested again, this time under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where she found herself needing to reclaim her mandate in court following what seemed like a prolonged and arduous journey in politics in her home state of Kogi, and eventually successful in reclaiming her mandate.

Standing Up Against Senate President’s 2024 Remarks

On Thursday 18th July, 2024, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio made headlines on social media when he shut down the lawmaker, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan during a plenary session, telling her not to speak without being formally recognized.

He further remarked, “…the senate is not a nightclub.” Many Nigerians considered this statement derogatory, suspecting it contained gender-based biases. This sparked significant outrage, leading to an apology from the Senate President.

He publicly apologized to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan but suggested that the online interest reflected that “we have enemies.” He continued, urging the public to focus on matters that would drive the nation forward. He also cautioned social media users to “practice with decorum,” stating, “we won’t out of anger regulate social media.” He further emphasized that, as a father of four daughters, he would never intentionally denigrate women, adding, “I will not intentionally denigrate any woman and I will always pray that God will uplift women.”

Refusal To Be Silenced Over Seating Change

Again during plenary on Thursday 20^th February, 2024, the lawmaker stood up against what seemed like a denigration of her right over seating arrangements.

Upon entering the chamber, Akpoti-Uduaghan noticed her nameplate was missing from her usual seat, which prompted her to raise her voice in protest, asking for an explanation about the change in her seating arrangement.

As the session began, Senate Chief Whip Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North) raised a point of order, drawing Akpabio’s attention to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “improper sitting position.” While Monguno was still speaking, Akpoti-Uduaghan interjected, demanding an explanation for the unapproved change of her seat. “I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege,” she told Akpabio.

The disruption led Akpabio to instruct the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove the Kogi lawmaker from the chamber, warning that she might face suspension if she continued to disrupt proceedings. “Can the Sergeant-at-Arms please take her out of the Senate?” Akpabio ordered. Her microphone was turned off as security personnel began to carry out the directive. However, the senator resisted, voicing her frustration over the treatment.

Seeing the situation escalate, several senators stepped in to restore calm. Senators from Kogi State, led by Isah Jibrin (APC, Kogi East), called for a peaceful resolution, while Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) urged Akpoti-Uduaghan to allow peace to prevail.

Recalling a similar incident during his time in the 8th Senate, Akpabio mentioned how his seat had been changed without notice, which he had protested, but the matter was resolved with decorum. “In the 8th Senate, my seat was changed without prior notice. I voiced my displeasure, but the matter was resolved internally,” he said. He also suggested reinstating the old microphone system to avoid senators speaking out of turn, jokingly apologizing “on behalf of the contractor” for the technical issues.

Once the plenary resumed peacefully, Senator Jibrin cited Order 42 (Matter of personal explanation) and offered an apology on behalf of his Kogi colleague. Meanwhile, Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West) defended the seat reallocation process, calling Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reaction unnecessary. “When she came in, we extended an arm of friendship to her; we love her too much. I don’t know why she turned the place upside down,” he said, urging her to apologize.

Finally, Senator Akpabio intervened, offering Akpoti-Uduaghan a resolution. “Senator Karimi, I can see that you are very hurt. I just want to appeal to you to temper justice with mercy,” he said. He emphasized that seat reallocation is a routine matter governed by the Senate’s Standing Orders and that while senators must speak from assigned seats, changes are at the Senate President’s discretion. “I want the public to understand that our proceedings are governed by rules and the Constitution,” Akpabio concluded.