Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central),on Wednesday failed to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions despite being summoned for an investigative hearing.
The committee, tasked with reviewing her conduct during last week’s heated plenary session, had scheduled the hearing for 2 p.m. but eventually commenced at 3 p.m. after waiting for her arrival.
Her referral to the committee was sequel to a motion by Sen. Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South) which stemmed from her recent confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio last week.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), expressed disappointment at her absence, stating that “Senator Natasha was duly invited to this meeting. We hope she will join us as we continue.”
According to him, Natasha was in the chamber during the plenary earlier in the day and even laid a petition in the chamber against the Senate President.
“She was duly invited like others and the Senate President also announced the meeting of the committee after the plenary, so she was aware of it,” he said.
The committee had its investigative hearing till past 4pm and Akpoti-Uduaghan was nowhere to be seen at the committee hearing.
The committee had invited Senator Natasha Akpoti -Uduaghan, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the Senate Spokesman, the Senate sergeant at Arm, Muktar Daudawa and the Chairman,Senate Committee On Rules and Business, Senator Titus Ziam.
Daudawa said on Wednesday 19th February, 2025, the Chief Whip, Senator Muhammad Tahir Muguno informed him that the leadership of the Senate had directed him to effect some changes on the minority side as a result of the movement of two senators from minority side to majority side.
“The senators, Senator Ned Nwoko and Senator Onyebuchi Francis Ndezemwa, who accordingly moved to the majority side, therefore created a vacant spaces. So I came, I met the Chief Whip. He also reminded me that I should do it in line with the ranking, as it has been the tradition of the Senate.
“You’re all aware of diversity ranking. You have to respect who comes first, depending on the number of your appearance or attendance in the Senate. And I went, I set a proposal concerning the movement,” he said.
