Senate is not nightclub, Akpabio scolds Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in a plenary, scolded Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central for addressing the Senate when she was not called to speak, saying the Senate is not a “nightclub.”

In a viral video online of a rowdy session over a bill, Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan interjected but was hushed by Mr Akpabio.

Amidst the commotion, Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan stated, “Mr President, we don’t want the bill to be killed. We just want a slight modification, sir.”

“Distinguished Senator Natasha, in the chamber, you have to be recognised before you speak,” said Mr Akpabio.

“Oh, pardon me,” said Ms Akpoti-Natasha apologised.

Despite Ms Akpoti-Natasha’s apology, the Senate president retorted, “We are not in a nightclub.”

Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan did not immediately respond to Peoples Gazette’s request for comments about the video.

However, Mr Akpabio’s condescending response has been criticised by Nigerians on social media, stressing it mirrors a broader culture of men’s demeaning attitudes towards women in Nigeria.

An X user, @zarmaomar, said, “This man is very rude and disrespectful. He needs to apologize for speaking to his colleagues in this manner. How will he feel when one of his colleagues tells him, Mr President, that we are not in a beer parlor? How will he feel?”

“I agree he could have used a better word, but the nightclub is not an exclusive place where only women go,” @donald_Olusegun said.

@BeeOne503 said, “And she immediately acknowledged her mistake and said pardon me, but he went ahead to bash her with that nightclub statement.”

@Abduharri01 said, “This is absolutely ridiculous, and he should be sued for that statement. Why such derogatory statement on her personality? This is very wrong please.”