- Senate Crisis Deepens as Older Female Senators Weigh In
- Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Iretiola Kingibe Reacts
- Controversy Erupted After Akpabio Ordered a Reassignment of Seats in the Senate chamber
The lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Iretiola Kingibe, has reacted to the ongoing crisis in the Senate involving her colleague, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The controversy erupted after Akpabio ordered a reassignment of seats in the Senate chamber, which affected multiple lawmakers, including Natasha.
However, unlike others who complied, Natasha refused to move to her newly assigned seat, leading to a heated exchange during plenary.
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When she later attempted to speak, she was denied recognition because she was not addressing the Senate from her designated seat.
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Frustrated by this, Natasha raised her voice in protest, accusing the Senate President of deliberately suppressing her voice and frustrating her legislative duties.
The situation escalated further when the Senate voted to refer her case to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for disciplinary review.
In a separate development, Natasha made serious allegations against Akpabio during a television interview, claiming that he had made inappropriate advances toward her on two occasions. She also argued that the seating reassignment was part of a wider effort to sideline her in the Senate.
Reacting to these developments, Senator Kingibe criticized Natasha’s response, stating that other senators, including men, had also been affected by the seating changes but did not react in the same manner.
Speaking in an interview, Kingibe emphasized that the Senate operates under strict rules that all members must adhere to, regardless of gender or personal sentiments.
She revealed that the three other female senators had chosen to remain silent on the matter because they did not want to publicly criticize Natasha.
However, she maintained that the Senate is an institution governed by rules, and it was inappropriate for any lawmaker to create unnecessary controversy over a seating arrangement.
While acknowledging that the Senate has not always been gender-friendly, Kingibe noted that significant improvements have been made in recent years.
She further explained that she has been addressing her issues at the Senate in a different manner.
Senator Kingibe added that she addresses issues if they occur at the plenary but most times she meets the Senate President in his office to discuss other non -plenary cases.
She urged female lawmakers to abide by the rules of the institution rather than engage in public disputes over matters that she described as minor.
She maintained that senator Natasha should have taken the matter to the other female senators at the Red Chamber but hasn’t done so, saying keeping mute over such sensitive matters isn’t right in the first place.
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According to her, she would speak on Senator Natasha’s sexual allegations if proven to be true.
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