Tension at National Assembly as Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Clashes with Committee Chairman Over Missed Budget Session

Tension at National Assembly as Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Clashes with Committee Chairman Over Missed Budget Session

Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was today at the centre of a fresh controversy at the National Assembly of Nigeria following a confrontation at the office of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission.

The incident began after the senator arrived late for a budget defence session of the committee, which had been scheduled for 10 a.m. and proceeded as planned, with prior notice circulated to lawmakers and journalists. Sources familiar with the meeting said the session commenced at the appointed time, with officials of the North Central Development Commission present to defend their proposed allocations and respond to questions from committee members.

On arrival, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan reportedly met an empty meeting venue, as the session had already been concluded and senators had dispersed after deliberations. Staff members at the committee room were said to have informed her that proceedings had ended and that the committee had moved on to other engagements.

Aggrieved by the development, she proceeded to the office of the committee chairman, Titus Zam, accompanied by her legislative and security aides, in an attempt to gain access. Eyewitnesses within the complex said the situation quickly escalated into a tense exchange, as security personnel stationed at the office reportedly sought to restrict entry in line with internal protocol.

Sources at the National Assembly said raised voices were heard during the confrontation, drawing attention from staff and other lawmakers within the vicinity. While details of the exchange remain disputed, some accounts suggest the senator expressed displeasure over what she described as exclusion from a critical budget session, insisting that as a representative of Kogi Central in the North Central region, she had a vested interest in the commission’s allocations and oversight.

Allies of the committee leadership, however, maintained that adequate notice had been given and that proceedings were conducted in accordance with established legislative procedures. They argued that punctuality and adherence to the official schedule were necessary to ensure order and efficiency in committee operations, particularly during the ongoing budget defence season, when multiple agencies appear before lawmakers daily.

The development has since sparked conversations within the Senate corridors about communication gaps, internal coordination, and the broader dynamics within committees overseeing regional development commissions. Observers note that budget defence sessions are often tightly scheduled, and late arrival can mean missing critical deliberations unless prior arrangements are made.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan nor Senator Zam had issued an official statement detailing their versions of events. However, aides to both lawmakers indicated that the matter may be resolved internally to prevent further escalation.

The incident adds to the ongoing political undercurrents at the National Assembly, where tensions occasionally surface amid heightened scrutiny of regional development funds and legislative oversight responsibilities.

Blessing Anolaba

Editorial & Creative Correspondent
A storyteller and journalist passionate about telling stories for policy change and impact.