Senators erupt in laughter as Akpabio, Natasha mark their birthdays same day

A mild drama ensued on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday asthe President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, marked his 63rd birthday. Coincidentally, December 9 is also the birthday of SenatorNatasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi-Central. She is 47. It has been the Senate’s tradition for the President tohonour senators marking their birthdays by calling their names for recognitionand best wishes. On Tuesday, while calling the names of the December 9celebrators, Akpabio called his own name, then paused when he got to the nameof Akpoti-Uduaghan, saying, “and another person, Distinguished Senator NatashaAkpoti-Uduaghan.” Senators in unison, burst out laughing as they saw Akpabiolaughing while mentioning Senator Natasha’s name. The message was not lost on the floor. Both Akpabio andNatasha are not the best of friends for now. Just last week, the long-standing disagreement between thetwo resurfaced online again as Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed that Akpabio had suedher for N200billion over her sexual allegation claim. Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Nigerian Senate for sixmonths due to misconduct and violation of Senate Standing Rules (2023 asamended), stemming from a dispute over seating arrangements that escalated intodisorderly conduct during plenary sessions. Amid the development, she made a sexual harassmentallegation against Akpabio on February 20, 2025, though the Senate clarifiedthat the suspension was for breaching rules and bringing the chamber intopublic opprobrium, not because of the allegation. Since resumption from the suspension on October 7,Akpoti-Uduaghan has kept a rather low profile, especially on the floor of theSenate, compared to the period before her disagreement with Akpabio started,when she was very visible. The two senators have also tried to avoid each other as muchas possible these days.

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