A recent clash in the Nigerian Senate has drawn attention to parliamentary decorum, as Senator Ireti Kingibe criticized her colleague, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over a dispute regarding seating arrangements during a Senate session.
The disagreement has sparked conversations about protocol and professionalism within the legislative chamber.
The dispute began when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan voiced her dissatisfaction with her assigned seat, arguing that it did not align with her seniority or status. Her objections led to a tense moment on the Senate floor, highlighting frustrations over the allocation process.
Responding to the controversy, Senator Kingibe stressed the need for legislators to uphold decorum and respect institutional procedures.
“Silence is golden, especially when one of us is not following the rules, and as women, we did not want to come out publicly to say anything negative about her, and we were hoping all of this will blow over, as a lot of things do,” Kingibe said.
She added, “The Senate is not a place where we are supposed to fight over trivialities like seating arrangements.”
She remarked, “It is imperative that we, as representatives of the people, uphold the dignity of this esteemed chamber by adhering to its rules and procedures.”
She further explained that seating arrangements are typically determined by Senate leadership based on various factors, including party representation, seniority, and committee roles.
According to Kingibe, any concerns regarding such matters should be addressed through formal channels rather than public protests.
“This is about the rules of the Senate. So if I can point out that other women have been moved several times on that day, I wasn’t there, but I gathered that several men were also moved,” she said.
“The truth of the matter is, yes, the Senate is not gender friendly, but it has been improving much better than when we first entered the Senate, I must say. And the truth of the matter is, when we make a fuss and draw the attention of the Senate president, he corrects it.
“Truly, the Senate can do better than he’s doing, but there’s hardly anything that’s been done to us that’s not done to other men.”
“I want women to know we have to follow the rules of the institution we choose to enter, and that is mostly the point of this visit here.”
