Drama erupted in the Nigerian Senate when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central clashed with Senator Titus Zam, Chairman of the Senate Committee on North Central Development Commission (NCDC), over her alleged exclusion from the committee.
The incident happened right after a committee meeting. Akpoti-Uduaghan, with her aides and security team, tried to enter Zam’s office to demand an explanation for not being included.
However, Zam’s security and legislative aides blocked her entry. An aide said, “She tried to advance into the office, but our security team prevented her.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan reportedly threatened to go live on social media to express her grievance. The situation escalated into a confrontation between the two senators’ aides, with a few slaps exchanged, according to witnesses. She then sat in the doorway of Zam’s office, preventing anyone from entering.
It took the intervention of Senator Niyi Adegbonmire, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, to calm the situation. Adegbonmire persuaded Akpoti-Uduaghan to leave the office, restoring order.
According to Arise News, Senate committee membership is limited: only two senators are chosen from each state across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Observers say this limited selection process may have contributed to the dispute.
So far, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has not commented publicly, and Senator Zam’s office has declined to respond.
