By OLALEKAN ADIGUN

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is once again dominating headlines ? not for landmark legislation or impactful advocacy, but for controversy and theatrics that seem to trail her every move. Known for her strong media presence and dramatic flair, the senator representing Kogi Central has found herself at the centre of debates about attention-seeking, decorum, and professionalism in Nigeria?s upper legislative chamber.

A few weeks ago, Akpoti-Uduaghan was embroiled in multiple controversies within and outside the Senate. Upon her return to the chamber, she attempted to move a motion ? a standard parliamentary procedure that requires a seconder before it can be discussed. In an unusual turn of events, none of her colleagues, not even fellow members of the opposition PDP, seconded the motion.

What followed was an awkward scene marked by raised voices and visible frustration. Observers noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan seemed more concerned with drawing attention than adhering to legislative protocols. The Senate, however, runs on procedure, not theatre performance. Under parliamentary rules, a motion without a seconder is null and void ? regardless of how passionately it is presented or how many cameras are rolling.

In more mature democracies such as the U.S. Senate, lawmakers often seek co-sponsors before presenting motions to ensure support and seriousness. With 109 senators representing diverse constituencies, Nigeria?s Senate operates in a similar fashion. Reducing it to a theatre of personal drama, critics argue, erodes its prestige and distracts from its legislative purpose.

This is not the first time Akpoti-Uduaghan has courted controversy. Her protest over seating arrangements earlier in the year ? where she publicly objected to her assigned seat ? drew criticism from colleagues and political observers alike. Globally, seat allocations in parliaments are the prerogative of the presiding officer, and members who desire different positions often lobby discreetly. Ironically, after all the noise, Akpoti-Uduaghan was eventually returned to her original seat, raising questions about the point of the entire episode.

The senator has also revived an allegation of sexual harassment against the Senate President, dating back to 2023. While she appeared on Arise TV to restate her claims, critics have questioned her choice to go public instead of lodging a formal complaint with the police or the Senate?s ethics committee ? the proper channels for addressing such matters. Her mention of former Education Minister, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, as a supposed witness further complicated the issue, prompting questions about whether Ezekwesili was present during the alleged incident and why no official report was filed at the time.

Given Akpoti-Uduaghan?s penchant for media attention, analysts argue that if verifiable evidence existed, it would likely have surfaced long ago. This is not her first high-profile accusation. In 2014, she alleged that former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, sexually harassed her during a state banquet for then Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta. Omokri, however, produced his British Airways ticket, international passport, and immigration stamps to prove he was abroad at the time. ?If I didn?t have that BA ticket and the stamps in my passport, my life would have been ruined,? Omokri said later. The case was quietly settled out of court, just like many of her past disputes.

Political watchers say this latest episode fits a familiar pattern ? bold allegations, extensive media rounds, but little substance. While every public official deserves to be heard, they caution that turning serious matters like harassment or institutional decorum into media spectacles diminishes their gravity and the public?s trust.

For Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the path forward is clear: she must evolve from a headline-maker to a serious lawmaker. Nigerians are yearning for legislators who bring value, not virality ? leaders who trade drama for delivery, and noise for results.

?Olalekan Adigun is a researcher and journalist based in Abuja. He can be reached on @MrLekanAdigun on X (formerly Twitter)

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