Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has vowed to expose the leadership style of Senate President Godswill Akpabio following a heated confrontation in the Senate chambers. Her statement comes as she faces a probe by the Senate’s Ethics and Disciplinary Committee.
The dispute began last week when Akpoti-Uduaghan challenged Akpabio over the relocation of her Senate seat. The situation escalated into a verbal exchange, prompting Akpabio to call for Senate security to remove her from the chambers. Other senators intervened, preventing further escalation.
In response, the Senate, through its spokesman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions, stating that “the Senate is not for entertainment.” However, the confrontation has now taken a new turn, with the senator insisting on transparency regarding the probe against her.
Calls for Live Coverage of Probe
Akpoti-Uduaghan has demanded that the proceedings of the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee be open to the public rather than held behind closed doors. She made her stance clear in a post on Instagram, calling for a live broadcast of the investigation.
“Inasmuch as I have refrained from publicly speaking on the matter and a lot of occurrences at the Senate under Senate President Akpabio, it’s about time I break my silence,” she wrote.
She urged Nigerians to follow the proceedings closely, adding, “Arise News, set a date, and I shall be in your studio in person. Spare no questions. The next few days and weeks shall be interesting but will shape the standard and quality of Nigeria’s leadership.”
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Petition Accuses Senator of Corruption and Abuse of Power
The controversy deepened when the Northern Youths Advocacy for Excellence submitted a petition against Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
The petition accused her of corruption, abuse of power, and mistreatment of staff within the Senate Committee on Local Content, which she chairs. It called for a thorough investigation into her alleged “illegal, subversive, and intimidating activities” and demanded disciplinary action.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has strongly denied the allegations, maintaining that she is being targeted for standing up against Senate leadership. “I have nothing to hide,” she said, insisting that she would respond to the accusations publicly.
Legal Battle Against Akpabio
Amid the controversy, Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken legal action, filing a N100.3 billion defamation lawsuit against Akpabio and others. While details of the lawsuit remain unclear, it signals her determination to fight back against what she calls an attempt to silence her.
As tensions rise, political observers are watching closely to see how the Senate handles the matter. Will the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee grant her request for a public hearing, or will the proceedings remain behind closed doors? More importantly, what revelations could emerge if Akpoti-Uduaghan follows through on her threat to expose Senate leadership?
For now, Nigerian citizens are left waiting as this high-stakes political battle unfolds.