Senate Passes Vote of Confidence in Akpabio’s Leadership, Refers Natasha’s Case to Ethics Committee
The Senate on Tuesday passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, reaffirming its commitment to upholding the institution of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
This decision follows a resolution concerning the alleged breach of Senate Standing Rules by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan last Thursday. The matter has now been referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions for review.
Reflecting on the importance of maintaining order in the Senate, Akpabio stated:
“I was a member of the 8th Senate, and today, I’m a member of the 10th Senate. Only God knows who will be in the 11th or 12th Senate, but the institution remains. As we speak, Senator Fatai Buhari knows that the rules do not allow a senator to sit anywhere. If you wish to contribute, you must return to your seat. This is part of maintaining order under the presiding officer.”
Addressing the issue involving Senator Natasha, Akpabio noted that she was not speaking from her designated seat during the incident. He suggested that newly appointed senators, especially those declared winners by the courts, often miss crucial orientation sessions.
“The first time this issue arose, our distinguished sister (Senator Natasha) was not even speaking from her seat. When people come in through court rulings, they often miss orientation. That is why I have directed the National Assembly management to organize periodic orientations for senators who assume office after the general swearing-in.”
He recalled an instance when Senator Natasha attempted to speak on the day she was sworn in:
“I remember the day she was sworn in—she raised her hand to speak. I was surprised but had to recognize her. I thought to myself, ‘She just received the rule book. Has she even opened it yet?’”
Akpabio emphasized the importance of understanding legislative procedures, stating:
“There is nothing wrong with being vibrant, but it is problematic when you are unfamiliar with procedures. You cannot be a reverend father and start a church service without laying a foundation. Section 66, subsection 1, of our rule book states that if a senator persists in irrelevance or tedious repetition, the Senate President may direct them to discontinue their speech.”
He further warned that senators who display gross disorderliness could be ordered to leave the Senate chamber for the rest of the day, with the sergeant-at-arms enforcing such directives if necessary.
Highlighting Sections 65 and 55 of the Senate rules, Akpabio reiterated:
“Section 55.2 states that all senators must enter and leave the chamber with decorum. The sanctity of the Senate must be maintained. For instance, senators are not permitted to cross the floor during sittings, chew gum, or even drink water in the chamber.”
He also reminded senators that the rules empower the Senate President to suspend an erring senator for at least 14 legislative days without referring the matter to a committee.
Returning to Senator Natasha’s case, Akpabio explained:
“That day, after we pleaded with her to speak from her seat and she refused, some colleagues approached her to mute her microphone. I did not mute it because, at that time, our new installation did not grant the Senate President that capability.”
Despite multiple attempts by her colleagues to intervene, Senator Natasha was determined to make her point. She eventually managed to unmute her microphone to express her grievances.
Akpabio concluded:
“I tried listening to one senator and realized that the reason she refused to follow the Senate standing orders was that she wanted to position herself where the camera could see her.”