There was drama at the National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, clashed openly with Senator Patrick Ndubueze of Imo North during the budget defence session of the Ministry of Steel Development.
The heated exchange happened during an interactive session between members of the Senate Committee on Steel Development and the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu. The committee is chaired by Senator Ndubueze.
Budget defence sessions are part of the National Assembly’s constitutional duty to examine how ministries, departments and agencies plan to spend public funds. During these sessions, ministers are expected to explain their proposals and answer questions from lawmakers before funds are approved.
However, what was meant to be a routine oversight meeting turned tense when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to ask what she described as “vital questions” to the minister but was stopped by the committee chairman.
According to a video that has since circulated widely on social media, Senator Natasha raised her hand and politely sought permission to speak.
“I have something to say. Please, will you mind if I do so?” she asked.
But Senator Ndubueze responded by saying, “Distinguished, please let’s call it a day,” and struck the gavel, signalling the end of the session.
Unhappy with the decision, Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted that she still had important issues to raise. As she tried to continue, the chairman struck the gavel again.
“Mr Chairman, please don’t hit the gavel. I still have something to say, and I think you should respect me enough,” she pleaded.
Ndubueze replied, “I have given you respect. Mr Minister, your time is up. Thank you,” as he struck the gavel once more.
At this point, the Kogi lawmaker expressed her frustration openly.
“That is fine. You have disrespected me more than enough. You can’t do this to me. I have something very vital to ask the minister, and it doesn’t matter if I have spoken once or twice. This is an interactive session, and you agree that we have not met with the minister enough. Only God knows when next we’re going to meet with him as a committee,” she said.
The incident has sparked debate within political circles and on social media, with many Nigerians questioning whether the lawmaker was unfairly denied the chance to perform her oversight duty.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is one of the few female senators in the current 10th National Assembly. A lawyer and social entrepreneur, she has been vocal on issues concerning infrastructure, mining, and industrial development, especially as they affect Kogi State, which is rich in mineral resources including iron ore.
On the other hand, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, a businessman-turned-politician, chairs the Senate Committee on Steel Development, which is responsible for overseeing the Ministry of Steel Development and related agencies. As chairman, he has the authority to moderate discussions and manage time during committee sessions.
The Ministry of Steel Development plays a key role in Nigeria’s plan to diversify its economy away from oil. Reviving the steel sector has been a long-standing goal of successive governments, especially with projects such as the Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi State. The ministry’s budget is therefore of strong interest to lawmakers, particularly those from mineral-producing states.
In past assemblies, there have been reports of female lawmakers complaining about being sidelined or not given equal opportunities to contribute during debates and committee work. Tuesday’s incident has revived conversations about respect, inclusion, and gender balance in Nigerian politics.
Political analyst Musa Abdullahi told our correspondent that while committee chairmen have the right to manage proceedings, they must also ensure fairness.
“Budget defence is not a mere formality. It is a serious constitutional responsibility. If a senator believes there are vital questions to ask, the chair should find a way to accommodate that, unless time has completely run out,” he said.
Another Abuja-based lawyer, Ifunanya Okeke, said the exchange shows the need for clearer rules on how interactive sessions are handled.
“The public expects lawmakers to ask tough questions on our behalf. Any action that appears to silence a member may create the impression that something is being hidden, even if that is not the case,” she said.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Senator Ndubueze nor the Ministry of Steel Development had issued an official statement explaining what led to the abrupt end of the session.
However, sources within the Senate said the disagreement may be resolved internally, as it is not uncommon for tensions to rise during committee meetings.
The National Assembly has in recent months been under public scrutiny over its handling of key national issues, including economic reforms, fuel subsidy removal, and rising cost of living. Many Nigerians have called on lawmakers to be more transparent and proactive in holding the executive arm accountable.
The clash between Senators Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ndubueze, though brief, has drawn attention to the importance of respectful dialogue and equal participation within the legislative process.
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