Another drama unfolded in the Nigerian Senate as Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan clashed with the Chairman of the Senate Committee on North Central Development Commission (NCDC), Titus Zam, over her alleged exclusion from the committee.
The confrontation occurred immediately after a scheduled committee meeting when Akpoti-Uduaghan, accompanied by her legislative and security aides, attempted to enter Zam’s office to demand an explanation for her non-membership.
Eyewitnesses told Arise News that Zam’s security team and legislative aides blocked her entry. “She tried to advance into the office, but our security team prevented her,” one aide said.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan reportedly threatened to go live on her social media platforms to voice her grievances. Her threat escalated tensions, leading to a direct confrontation between her security detail and Zam’s aides, with “a few slaps exchanged,” according to an eyewitness.
In a dramatic move, the senator then seated herself in the doorway of Zam’s office, preventing anyone from entering while the committee chairman remained inside.
It took the intervention of Niyi Adegbonmire, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, to restore calm. Adegbonmire reportedly persuaded Akpoti-Uduaghan to leave the office, allowing normalcy to return.
Arise News findings revealed that Senate committee membership is selected from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with only two senators chosen from each state. Observers say this limited selection process may have contributed to the dispute.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has not issued a public statement following the incident, while Senator Zam’s office declined immediate comment.
Boluwatife Enome
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