Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan Confronts Senator Zam Over Committee Exclusion

A confrontation erupted within the Nigerian Senate as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan clashed with Senator Titus Zam, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on North Central Development Commission (NCDC), over her exclusion from the committee. The incident occurred shortly after a scheduled committee meeting, highlighting underlying tensions within the legislative body.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, attempted to enter Zam’s office accompanied by her legislative and security aides to demand clarification regarding her non-membership. Eyewitnesses reported to Arise News that Zam’s security team and legislative aides blocked her from entering the office. One aide stated, “She tried to advance into the office, but our security team prevented her.”

Following the obstruction, Akpoti-Uduaghan threatened to broadcast her grievances live on social media, which heightened the situation. This escalation led to a physical confrontation, where “a few slaps exchanged” between her security detail and Zam’s aides, according to an observer. In a dramatic gesture, the senator positioned herself in the doorway of Zam’s office, effectively barring access while the committee chairman remained inside.

The standoff continued until the intervention of Niyi Adegbonmire, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters. Adegbonmire managed to persuade Akpoti-Uduaghan to vacate the premises, allowing normalcy to return to the committee’s operations.

The incident draws attention to the contentious nature of Senate committee memberships, which are selected from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with only two senators appointed from each state. Observers suggest that this limited selection process may have contributed to the ongoing disputes among senators.

As of now, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has not issued a public statement regarding the incident, while Senator Zam’s office declined to comment immediately. The events underscore the persistent challenges within Nigeria’s legislative framework and the intricate dynamics of political representation.