Senate President React As Senator Natasha seat Beside him in IPU Ivory Coast

Senator Karimi Accuses Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Misconduct at IPU Meeting

Senator Karimi Sunday, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Services, has alleged that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) disrupted seating arrangements at an Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in Ivory Coast by displacing another senator to sit beside Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

In an interview with TVC, Karimi claimed: “She forced Senator Ekpeyong to stand up while the meeting was ongoing just to sit next to the Senate President.” He also questioned the timeline of Senator Natasha’s harassment allegations against the Senate leadership, noting the incident was said to have occurred on December 8, 2023 — shortly after she assumed office in November 2023 — but was not disclosed until early 2024.

Karimi suggested the allegations may be linked to her recent removal as Chair of the Local Content Committee. He described her as a “controversial” figure who has allegedly had disputes with multiple senators and criticized her confrontation with Senator Ireti Kingibe over differing views on the harassment claims.

According to Karimi, tensions between Senator Natasha and Senate leadership began as early as July 2023, following her strong reaction to a comment made by the Senate President implying that the chamber was not a “clubhouse.” He claimed she demanded an apology, which was eventually given.