Drama in Senate as Akpoti-Uduaghan clashes with committee chairman

A heated confrontation erupted in the Nigerian Senate yesterday as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central clashed with Senator Titus Zam, Chairman of the Senate Committee on North Central Development Commission (NCDC), over her exclusion from the committee.

Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred immediately after a scheduled committee meeting. Akpoti-Uduaghan, accompanied by her aides and security personnel, reportedly attempted to enter Zam’s office to demand an explanation for not being appointed to the committee. Zam’s security team and legislative aides blocked her entry, prompting a tense standoff.

“She tried to advance into the office, but our security team prevented her,” one of Zam’s aides told reporters.

According to eyewitness accounts, Akpoti-Uduaghan threatened to go live on social media to voice her grievances, escalating tensions. The confrontation briefly turned physical, with a few slaps exchanged between aides from both sides. The senator then sat in the doorway of Zam’s office, effectively blocking access while the committee chairman remained inside.

Calm was eventually restored through the intervention of Senator Niyi Adegbonmire, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, who persuaded Akpoti-Uduaghan to leave the office.

Senate committee membership is reportedly limited to two senators per state, selected from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Observers suggest that this restricted selection process may have contributed to the dispute.

Neither Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan nor Senator Zam has issued a public statement following the incident.