Senate President Godswill Akpabio has attributed some challenges in the upper legislative chamber to lawmakers who reclaimed their mandates through court rulings.
Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, February 25, Akpabio remarked that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, would face disciplinary action following her outburst over the reallocation of her seat.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had protested the relocation of her seat during plenary on February 20, repeatedly raising a point of order despite being overruled by Akpabio. Addressing the matter, Akpabio faulted her understanding of Senate rules, directing the National Assembly management to conduct regular orientation programs for senators.
“I think part of the problem is when people come from court… court-declared senators; they missed the orientation,” Akpabio said.
“The management of the National Assembly is hereby ordered to organise periodic orientation, particularly for senators who are midstreamers, who came midstream and did not start when their colleagues started.”
Akpabio further recalled that on the day Akpoti-Uduaghan was sworn in, she immediately attempted to speak on the Senate floor, suggesting she lacked familiarity with legislative procedures.
Defamation Suit Against Akpabio
In response, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a N100 billion defamation lawsuit against Akpabio.
The suit, filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, names Akpabio and his legislative aide, Mfon Patrick, as defendants, accusing them of making defamatory statements against her. She is demanding:
- A public retraction of the statements
- A published apology in a national newspaper
- N100 billion in damages
Background of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Mandate
Akpoti-Uduaghan originally contested the February 2023 Kogi Central Senatorial Election but was declared the loser after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner.
She challenged the results, citing electoral irregularities, and the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal ruled in her favor, nullifying Sadiku-Ohere’s victory. The Court of Appeal upheld the decision, declaring Akpoti-Uduaghan as the duly elected senator.
She was sworn into office in November 2023.
More details to follow.