Nigeria’s Senate briefly slipped into laughter on Tuesday when lawmakers realised that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan share the same birthday, even as both remain locked in a tense political quarrel. Akpabio marked his 63rd year, while Natasha turned 47.
The chamber brightened when Akpabio read out the list of senators with birthdays. He mentioned his own name, paused, then called Natasha’s. The room burst into laughter, and Akpabio joined in with a restrained smile that drew even more attention because of their strained relationship.
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The timing added an unusual note to a dispute that has grown sharper in recent months. Natasha disclosed last week that Akpabio had taken legal action against her, seeking N200 billion in damages over earlier allegations she made. Their clash has already drawn public interest, following her six-month suspension earlier in the year after a disorderly seating dispute on the floor of the Senate. During that period, she accused Akpabio of harassment, a claim the Senate dismissed while insisting the suspension was based on her breach of parliamentary rules.
Since her reinstatement on October 7, Natasha has maintained a quieter approach in the chamber. She and Akpabio have interacted little, and Tuesday’s shared birthday only underscored the distance between them, even as it provided a momentary break from the tension.
