The Senator representing Kogi-Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and the Senator representing Imo North, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, clashed during a joint sitting of the Senate and the House of Representatives for the Mines and Steel Development budget defence session.
The Guardian earlier reported that Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaib Audu, engaged in a heated argument over the revival and the funding needs of the Ajaokuta Steel Company.
The senator questioned the government’s real intention in reviving the steel company, which has been in a comatose state for years, and sought information on the 2019 bilateral agreement between Nigeria and Russia, under which $1.45 billion was reportedly pledged for the steel plant.
As she was about to interrogate the minister further, Ndubueze, who presided over the session, adjourned the meeting.
“Distinguished, let us call it a close for the minister,” said Ndubueze.
Akpoti-Uduaghan responded, “It’s very important. No, honorable Minister, please I’d like to say this. No, please do not hit the gavel. I still have something to say and I think you should respect me enough. Please don’t do that, Mr. Chairman.”
Ndubueze, however, hit the gavel on the table, signalling that the session had come to an end. Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, was displeased with the decision to end the session.
“You have disrespected me more than enough. You can’t do this to me. You’ve spoken enough to allow me speak. I have something very vital to interface and it doesn’t matter if I’ve spoken once or twice. This is an interactive session and you agree that we have not met with the minister. Only God knows when next we are going to meet with him,” she said.
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