A heated exchange between Senator Titus Zam, Chairman of the Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), and Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has sparked discussion over committee rights and parliamentary protocol.
The confrontation occurred when Akpoti-Uduaghan visited the NCDC Committee Chairman’s office, leading a protest over what she described as being systematically denied her legislative privileges. According to her, the move was intended to exclude her from important budgetary proceedings affecting her constituency.
Zam’s Perspective
Senator Zam, responding via a statement from Abuja on Tuesday, labeled his colleague’s claims as “ignorant” and rooted in a misunderstanding of Senate committee membership rules. He emphasized that Akpoti-Uduaghan is not part of the NCDC committee and therefore was not scheduled to attend its budget defense sessions.
“She’s not a member of the committee and was not invited to the budget defence meeting. Two senators from Kogi are members, indeed, Senator Sani Jubrin is my vice chairman of NCDC while Sen Sunny Karimi is a member,” Zam explained.
He clarified that her complaint came several hours after the meeting had concluded. “After the budget defence meeting, Sen Natasha came several hours later to complain against her not being invited. I told her she’s not a member, so she couldn’t have been invited,” he added.
Committee Membership Context
Zam elaborated that committee composition is designed to reflect national balance, mixing senators from different zones across Nigeria. He cited examples from other states to explain why not all north central senators serve on the NCDC.
“Many other north central senators are not members because senators from other zones in Nigeria are mixed up in all the development commission committees for the purpose of national character. For example, Senator Pam from Plateau State too is not a member of NCDC, because Senators Plang and Lalong are members,” he said.
He also criticized the logic behind Akpoti-Uduaghan’s argument, which claimed that being from the north central zone should automatically entitle her to committee membership.
“She, as usual, ignorantly claimed that being from north central Nigeria, she ought to have been a member,” Zam stated.
A brief argument ensued in the office, after which Zam advised the senator to formally submit her complaint to the Senate Committee on Selection. Following this guidance, Akpoti-Uduaghan eventually left his office.
Implications for Senate Protocol
The incident highlights ongoing challenges in navigating committee membership and access rights in the Nigerian Senate. Analysts suggest that misunderstandings like this underscore the importance of clear communication and adherence to established committee structures to prevent disputes.
Observers note that while protests and office visits are legitimate tools for raising concerns, they must be complemented by formal channels, such as submitting complaints through proper Senate committees, to ensure procedural compliance and avoid escalation.
Commentary and Analysis:
Senator Zam’s response emphasizes procedural correctness and highlights the importance of committee structure in legislative governance. By pointing to examples from other states, he underscored that committee allocation considers national representation rather than regional entitlement.
Political observers argue that the episode reflects broader tensions among senators navigating committee assignments, particularly when constituents expect direct representation in specific oversight bodies. For Akpoti-Uduaghan, the challenge will be balancing advocacy for her constituents with respect for Senate protocols—a lesson for lawmakers nationwide.
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