Drama in Senate as Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Clashes With Akpabio Over Abortion Debate — Oshiomhole Invokes Senate Rule to Silence Discussion

Tension flared in the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan confronted Senate President Godswill Akpabio after being denied an opportunity to speak during deliberations on the sensitive issue of abortion.

The Kogi Central senator, visibly frustrated, pleaded to be heard, saying: “Mr. Senate President, please may I speak. I’m a woman, and ab%rtion has to do with women — it’s very important, sir.” Her request drew murmurs across the chamber as Akpabio responded that the matter had already been “stepped down in totality.”

Despite this, Akpabio briefly softened his stance, allowing her to “add a comment if necessary.” But before she could continue, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, former Edo State governor, swiftly raised an objection, citing parliamentary procedure.

“Mr. President, we’ve been tutored over and over that when a matter has been concluded and you’ve dropped the gavel, if you grant an exception to distinguished Senator Natasha, then you must extend the same to all of us, which makes our rule meaningless,” Oshiomhole argued firmly. “The rule should be obeyed. We have said no discussion, and she should obey the rule.”

Akpabio, appearing slightly caught between maintaining order and acknowledging Natasha’s gender-based perspective, clarified that he was unaware of what she intended to say. “I am not a spirit to know what the senator wants to say. If I knew, I would have referred her to Rule 52, Subsection 6,” he remarked, before officially ruling her out of order.

The brief but fiery exchange underscored the growing tension in Nigeria’s upper chamber over women’s participation in national policy debates, particularly on issues affecting female health and rights. Online, early reactions to the incident have split opinion — with some applauding Natasha’s persistence as a voice for women, and others supporting Oshiomhole’s insistence on procedural discipline.

Observers note that the confrontation reflects a larger challenge in Nigerian politics: balancing parliamentary decorum with inclusive representation, especially on topics that directly impact half the population.