Natasha told me openly that I should go and tell those who sent me, she will not leave the seat–Moro

According to Channels Television, Senator Abba Moro, the Minority Leader of the Senate, has opened up on the controversial standoff involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s refusal to obey the Senate’s sitting arrangements, shedding new light on what transpired behind closed doors.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Hard Copy, Moro emphasized that the Nigerian Senate operates by strict internal rules, especially on seating protocols, which are overseen by the Senate President and enforced by the Sergeant-at-Arms.

He explained that the recent rearrangement of seats followed the defection of some senators and was necessary to maintain order.

According to Moro, Natasha was not singled out but was moved like others. However, she refused to comply with the new seating directive. As the Minority Leader, he took it upon himself to de-escalate the situation, engaging both the Senate President and Senator Natasha in dialogue.

“I went to Natasha and I said, ‘Hey, my sister, go to your seat… we will resolve this matter later,’” Moro recounted. But her response stunned him. “Natasha told me openly that I should go and tell those who sent me, she will not leave the seat.” Moro, who described himself as her leader in the Senate, said he found her defiance troubling, particularly because it flouted the Senate’s internal regulations.

He compared it with his own experience during the COVID-19 period when he was temporarily relocated from the PDP section to the management area and complied without resistance.