By Peter Omopo
Tension flared at the National Assembly on Monday as Senator was involved in a confrontation following a missed budget defence session of the Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission.
The session, scheduled for 10 a.m., reportedly commenced as planned after prior notice was circulated to lawmakers and members of the press. However, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, arrived after proceedings had ended and found the venue empty.
According to sources at the National Assembly, the senator, visibly displeased, proceeded to the office of the committee chairman, Senator , accompanied by her legislative and security aides in a bid to gain access.
Tensions escalated when she was denied entry into the chairman’s office. The senator reportedly sat in front of the office entrance, temporarily obstructing access.
The situation further deteriorated after a mobile phone belonging to one of her aides—allegedly used to record the incident—was seized by staff members in the office. The development angered the senator, who was said to have threatened to go live on social media, accusing Senate leadership, including Senate President , of attempting to sideline her.
Eyewitnesses said the confrontation intensified following an exchange of words between a staff member and members of the senator’s team. The altercation reportedly turned physical when one of her security aides allegedly slapped a staff member.
The scuffle escalated as security personnel intervened and forced the senator’s aides out of the office. In the ensuing chaos, one aide was said to have attempted to draw a firearm before being quickly restrained and removed from the premises by security officials.
Calm was eventually restored after another senator intervened, holding a private discussion with Akpoti-Uduaghan and directing those involved to vacate the area.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Senate leadership regarding the incident.
