Tension flared in the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, staged a walkout during a committee session following a heated disagreement with Senator Patrick Ndubueze of Imo North.
The incident occurred during the budget defence session of the Ministry of Steel Development. Senator Ndubueze, who chairs the Senate Committee on Steel Development, declined to grant Senator Natasha the floor to question the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, during the interactive session.
As the session drew to a close, Natasha requested permission to ask what she described as important questions.
“Do you mind if I do so?” she asked.
However, Ndubueze responded, “Distinguished, let us call it a close for the Minister,” signaling his intention to end the session.
Insisting on being heard, Natasha pleaded, “It’s very important, please. No, Honourable Minister, please, I’d like to say this. No, please, do not hit the gavel. I still have something to say, and I think you should respect me enough. Please don’t do that.”
Ndubueze replied, “I’ve given you respect,” but Natasha countered, “No, that’s not it.”
The committee chairman then addressed the minister, saying, “Mr. Minister, your time is up. Thank you.”
Clearly frustrated, Natasha said, “Then that’s fine. I think you’ve disrespected me more than enough. No, you can’t do this to me. You can’t. You’ve spoken enough to allow me to speak. I have something very vital to interface with the Minister.
“And it doesn’t matter if I’ve spoken once or twice. This is an interactive session. And you agree that we have not met with the Minister enough. Only God knows when next we are going to meet with him as a committee.”
Following the exchange, she walked out of the session, bringing a dramatic end to the proceedings.
