Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has been linked to another tense episode at the National Assembly, this time involving the office of Senator Titus Tartenger Zam (Benue North-West)
The development followed her protest over what she described as a pattern of marginalisation within the Senate, culminating in her alleged exclusion from the Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission.
Committee memberships in the 10th National Assembly are considered key avenues for legislative influence, oversight, and effective constituency representation.
According to the lawmaker, she arrived at a committee meeting ready to participate, only to discover that her name was not listed among members. Seeking clarification, she was informed that the committee clerk was in the office of the chairman, Senator Zam. She then proceeded to his office to make inquiries.
The visit reportedly led to a heated exchange, during which Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed the chairman suggested his actions were based on directives from higher authorities, without offering further explanation.
“This incident is part of a recurring pattern of marginalisation. All senators are constitutionally equal in status, authority, and mandate,” she said.
The senator questioned the legal and procedural grounds for her removal from a committee that directly affects states in the North Central geopolitical zone.
In a statement issued in Abuja by her media aide, Mike Idoko, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that tensions escalated when aides attached to the committee chairman confronted members of her media team.
“Approximately six aides, including the chairman’s secretary, seized my cinematographer’s phone and engaged in verbal hostility. This is unacceptable,” she stated.
Reaffirming her stance, the Kogi Central lawmaker said her actions were rooted in the mandate given to her by her constituents and vowed to continue pushing for fairness and institutional integrity within the Senate whenever she believes legislative rights are being undermined.
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
.){kind=link}