Tension flared at the Senate during the Ministry of Steel Development’s budget defence session as the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, confronted the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Steel Development, Senator Patrick Ndubueze.
The disagreement occurred when Ndubueze reportedly declined to allow Akpoti-Uduaghan to further question the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, during the session.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had sought recognition from the committee chairman to raise what she described as important issues.
However, Ndubueze refused her request and struck the gavel, signalling the close of proceedings.
Reacting, the Kogi lawmaker accused the chairman of denying her the opportunity to properly engage the minister and expressed dissatisfaction over what she described as inadequate interaction between the committee and the ministry.
Senator Natasha said, “I have something to say. Please, will you mind if I do so?”
In response, Ndubueze said, “Distinguished, please let’s call it a day.”
As she made another attempt to address the minister, the chairman struck the gavel again.
Natasha pleaded, “Mr Chairman, please don’t hit the gavel. I still have something to say, and I think you should respect me enough.”
Ndubueze responded while striking the gavel again: “I have given you respect. Mr Minister, your time is up. Thank you.”
Natasha replied, “That is fine. You have disrespected me more than enough. You can’t do this to me. I have something very vital to ask the minister, and it doesn’t matter if I have spoken once or twice. This is an interactive session, and you agree that we have not met with the minister enough. Only God knows when next we’re going to meet with him as a committee.”
