Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Peter Nwebonyi, has strongly condemned the recent actions of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan during Thursday’s plenary session, describing them as a violation of Senate protocols and decorum.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Arise News on Friday, Nwebonyi firmly criticized the senator’s refusal to adhere to procedural rules, stating that her conduct was unacceptable and went against the established order of the legislative chamber. He noted that the rules of the Senate are clear and must be followed without exception, regardless of individual opinions or grievances.
During the interview, Nwebonyi dismissed any allegations suggesting that the seat reassignment was an attempt to silence female lawmakers or marginalize the opposition. He emphasized that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, was fully within his rights to implement the seating changes based on the constitutional framework that guides legislative operations in Nigeria.
Explaining the reason for the seat reallocation, Nwebonyi stated that it was a necessary adjustment following the recent defection of several opposition senators to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He pointed out that maintaining an orderly seating arrangement is critical to the smooth functioning of the Senate, and as per standard parliamentary procedure, the presiding officer has the authority to assign or reassign seats whenever necessary.
He elaborated, “We have two designated sections in the Senate. The majority party occupies the right-hand side of the presiding officer, while the opposition party sits on the left. However, with the defection of some opposition senators to the ruling APC, the seating arrangement naturally required restructuring to accommodate these changes and prevent any disruptions in the chamber.”
“According to Senate Order 6, Rule 1, the presiding officer, in this case, the Senate President, is empowered to reallocate seats when there is a defection. This adjustment was not solely directed at Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan; it affected multiple senators across the opposition bloc. Unfortunately, Natasha refused to comply with the new seating arrangement, thereby violating Senate rules. Her refusal was not only unwarranted but also disruptive to the legislative order.”
Nwebonyi further defended the Senate President’s actions, reiterating that the legislative framework clearly outlines the requirement for senators to occupy their assigned seats before participating in debates or raising points of order. He dismissed claims that Akpabio deliberately denied Akpoti-Uduaghan the opportunity to speak, clarifying that she had failed to follow the appropriate procedures.
“Senator Natasha had already been assigned a new seat prior to Thursday’s plenary session, but she chose to defy the directive and refused to move. Our Senate rules dictate that a lawmaker cannot address the chamber unless they are seated in their designated position. Given this clear guideline, the Senate President’s decision not to recognize her was entirely in line with the established rules. If she had taken her assigned seat and followed the correct protocol, she would have been given the opportunity to speak,” he stated.
Nwebonyi emphasized the importance of upholding the Senate’s integrity and ensuring discipline among its members. He reiterated that the institution of the Senate is governed by long-standing principles, not by the personal discretion of the Senate President. He cautioned against attempts to undermine parliamentary procedures, stressing that adherence to the rules is crucial for maintaining the orderliness and credibility of legislative proceedings.
“The Senate is not a place where individuals can act on personal whims. It is a serious institution governed by well-defined rules and procedures. These rules were not created by Akpabio but have been in place long before now. Every senator, regardless of their position or status, must respect and abide by them. That is how legislative institutions function all over the world,” he concluded.