Tensions appear to be rising once again in the Nigerian Senate following an incident during Tuesday’s plenary session, where Senate President Godswill Akpabio prevented Kogi State lawmaker Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from delivering her remarks.
Although Akpabio eventually permitted her to speak, Edo State Senator Adams Oshiomhole argued that allowing her to address the chamber at that moment was inappropriate.
Video footage captures the exchange as Natasha attempted to contribute to the discussion on an abortion bill, emphasizing that as a woman, she was uniquely qualified to speak on the subject.
Senate President Akpabio, however, dismissed her request, explaining that the bill had been fully stepped down and could no longer be debated, effectively barring her from speaking on it.
Undeterred, the Kogi senator persisted, repeatedly appealing, “Mr. Senate President, please may I speak? I am a woman, and abortion concerns women.”
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Akpabio maintained his position, stating firmly, “Senator Natasha, this bill has been stepped down in its entirety.”
Shortly thereafter, the Senate President relented slightly, offering Natasha a brief opportunity to present her views. However, as she prepared to address the Senate, Senator Oshiomhole intervened, insisting that since the bill had been stepped down and the gavel struck, she should not be allowed to speak.
“Mr. President, we have been repeatedly instructed that once a matter is concluded and the gavel is dropped, no further discussion should take place. Granting an exception to distinguished Senator Natasha would compel us to extend the same courtesy to others, thereby undermining our rules,” Oshiomhole argued.
“I believe the rules must be respected. We have agreed to defer the debate to allow for additional input, and I also plan to contribute further. That is the purpose of stepping down the bill. Many of us would prefer to continue the discussion here.”
