The Senate has formally cautioned Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over her failure to comply with the chamber’s rules mandating all senators to rise during the entry and procession of Senate leadership into the chamber.
This follows a point of order raised on the floor by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Monguno, who cited Order 55, Rule 1 of the Senate Standing Orders, which clearly requires all senators to stand during the leadership procession.
Senator Monguno noted that Senator Natasha has repeatedly refused to observe this tradition, choosing to remain seated while the leadership makes its formal entrance into the chamber.
Highlighting that the incident was widely reported the previous day and had occurred again, Monguno explained that he had to instruct a Sergeant-at-Arms to approach Senator Natasha and remind her to stand.
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However, according to him, Senator Natasha refused, stating she would not comply.
The Chief Whip criticized her actions, saying, “One cannot seek protection under Order 10 of the Senate rules while openly disregarding the same rules.”
He advised Senator Natasha to familiarize herself with the Senate rule book, emphasizing that rising during the procession is not a gesture for any individual but a sign of respect for the institution of the Senate itself.
Following the motion, the Senate sustained the point of order and upheld the call for adherence to the chamber’s established procedures.
