VIDEO: SEE MOMENT SENATE PRESIDENT AKPABIO, AND SENATOR OSHIOMHOLE CLASH AGAINST SENATOR NATASHA OVER ABORTION BILL.

By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke

21- OCT- 2025

A mild drama unfolded on the floor of the Nigerian Senate during plenary as the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and Senator Adams Oshiomhole engaged in a brief but heated exchange over discussions relating to a bill on abortion.

The session took a dramatic turn when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan sought recognition to contribute to the debate, asserting her position as a woman on the sensitive issue.

“Mr. Senate President, please may I speak. I’m a woman, and abortion has to do with women,” Senator Natasha requested.

However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio responded that the bill in question had already been stepped down in totality. In a bid to ensure fairness, Akpabio called Senator Natasha’s name five consecutive times, but she did not respond immediately. He later reaffirmed that the bill had been stepped down but allowed that if she still wished to make a contribution, she could proceed.

As Senator Natasha eventually rose to speak, Senator Adams Oshiomhole swiftly raised a Point of Order, interrupting her attempt.

“Rule of Order,” Oshiomhole declared. “Senator Natasha can’t speak on this issue because the matter has already been concluded. Let’s follow the rules.”

The intervention by Oshiomhole appeared to draw mixed reactions from colleagues, marking a tense but brief moment in the day’s proceedings.

Observers have since described the encounter as a reflection of the sensitivity surrounding legislative debates on reproductive rights and gender-related issues within the National Assembly.