Tension in Senate: Akpabio, Natasha clash over abortion bill 

A heated moment played out on the floor of the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday after Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) clashed during deliberations on the Criminal Code Amendment Bill 2025, which seeks to impose stiffer penalties for aiding or procuring abortions in Nigeria.

The bill, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and earlier passed by the House of Representatives, proposes to increase the jail term for anyone who provides drugs or instruments to facilitate abortion from three years to ten years, without the option of a fine.

According to Bamidele, the proposed amendment aims to update the nation’s Criminal Code Act in line with “contemporary social, moral, and medical realities,” arguing that the growing number of unlawful abortions poses serious ethical and public health concerns.

Debate on the bill quickly grew tense as lawmakers expressed divided opinions on what should be classified as an “unlawful abortion.”

Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) cautioned against passing the amendment without broad stakeholder consultation. He argued that the proposed law could discourage medical professionals from offering life-saving interventions for women in danger.

“We must not legislate in a way that endangers life,” Ningi warned, urging the Senate to suspend further deliberation on the matter.

Sensing growing disagreement, Senate President Akpabio ruled that the bill be stepped down and referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further consultation and recommendations within two weeks.

However, the decision sparked another moment of drama when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only two women present at plenary, sought recognition to make a contribution after Akpabio’s ruling.

“Mr. Senate President, please may I speak? I am a woman, and abortion has to do with women. It is very important, sir,” she appealed.

Akpabio, however, declined her request, insisting that the matter had already been suspended “in totality.”

At that point, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) raised a point of order, arguing that allowing Natasha to speak after the gavel had fallen would breach the Senate’s standing rules.

“If you grant this exemption to Senator Natasha, then you must extend it to everyone else,” Oshiomhole stated. “The rules should be applied uniformly.”

Citing Rule 52 (Subsection 6) of the Senate Standing Orders, Akpabio upheld Oshiomhole’s objection and ruled Natasha out of order, noting that “no matter concluded by the Senate can be reopened during the same session.”