The National Assembly is not a platform for entertainment or content creation, Senate Spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, stated while addressing the controversy surrounding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent outburst in the Senate chamber. Speaking on Channels TV, Adaramodu emphasized that the legislative institution operates under strict standing rules, and senators are expected to abide by them in conducting their legislative duties.
The controversy arose when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed dissatisfaction over her seat being changed without prior notification. Addressing the matter, Senator Adaramodu clarified that the allocation of seats in the Senate is not a personal entitlement, and members are not individually informed about seat adjustments.
“No senator owns a particular seat permanently. The Senate President or presiding officer has the authority to reassign seats as necessary. I have had my seat changed three times, and I did not raise any concerns about it,” Adaramodu explained. He further stated that seat reassignments occur due to shifting party allegiances and to maintain proper order in the chamber.
The spokesperson criticized Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for making a public scene instead of following the proper legislative procedures. “If a senator is displeased with any decision, the right approach is to follow internal mechanisms—first consulting the Sergeant-at-Arms, then the Chief Whip, and, if necessary, the Senate leadership,” he advised. He pointed out that rather than adhering to these procedures, the senator chose to express her grievances in an unorthodox manner, which he deemed unnecessary.
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Responding to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims of being sidelined in Senate deliberations and her motions and bills being ignored, Adaramodu dismissed such concerns. “There are over a thousand motions and bills awaiting legislative processes in the Senate. No senator’s contributions are deliberately sidelined. She should have approached the Rules and Business Committee to inquire about her pending bills instead of making public accusations,” he stated.
Regarding her committee assignments, Adaramodu affirmed that every senator is entitled to chair only one committee. He noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan currently leads the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and NGOs, a significant responsibility that contradicts claims of being marginalized.
The Senate Spokesperson reiterated that the National Assembly is a place for serious legislative work and not for showmanship. “The Senate is not a theatre for content creation or attention-seeking. Our focus is on making laws and policies that serve Nigerians,” he asserted. The matter was ultimately resolved within the chamber, with the Senate leadership addressing her concerns and Akpoti-Uduaghan accepting their decision.
