In an unexpected revelation during Thursday’s heated Senate session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio disclosed that he once spent the night at Dangote’s massive cement facility in Obajana—not for an industrial inspection, but after attending Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s wedding ceremony.
“I slept in Dangote cement factory in Obajana, Kogi State on the night of Senator Natasha’s wedding because the Kogi airport lights were in a poor state,” Akpabio declared to the chamber, emphasizing his close ties to the senator’s family. The former Niger Delta Minister described the senator’s husband as “a good friend,” suggesting his unusual accommodation choice reflected his commitment to attending their special day despite logistical challenges.
The timing of this personal anecdote proved particularly striking, as it came during the same session where senators voted to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions had just recommended severe penalties against the Kogi Central lawmaker for allegedly “disrespecting the Senate.”
The suspension, which strips Akpoti-Uduaghan of her salary, security details, and even access to National Assembly grounds, was formalized by Akpabio himself—the same man who had apparently gone to extraordinary lengths to attend her wedding.
The juxtaposition of Akpabio’s warm wedding story against the harsh disciplinary action created a stark contrast in the chamber, highlighting the complex personal and political relationships that often intertwine in Nigeria’s legislative landscape.
