Accountant and social commentator Wale Adebayo, popularly known on X as “Mario9ja,” has criticised Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following her latest confrontation in the Senate, accusing her of chasing clout instead of focusing on serious legislative work.
The incident occurred during the Senate sitting on October 21, 2025, when a mild drama unfolded between Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, and Senator Adams Oshiomhole. The exchange erupted after Senator Natasha attempted to make further comments on the abortion clause in the Criminal Code Amendment Bill, 2025, despite the matter having already been referred to a committee for further consideration.
The Criminal Code Amendment Bill seeks to impose stricter penalties for sexual offences, including life imprisonment for offenders convicted of defiling minors. However, lawmakers agreed to suspend further debate on sections related to abortion and pregnancy termination due to concerns that vague provisions could endanger women during medical emergencies or expose healthcare professionals to prosecution.
Following that decision, the Senate referred the controversial clauses to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters for comprehensive review, with the committee expected to present its report within two weeks. Although this procedural step was not captured in the viral footage circulating online, it provided the context for the tense exchange.
After the issue had been formally stepped down, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan sought to revisit the abortion clause, insisting she should be allowed to contribute since it directly affects women. Senator Adams Oshiomhole immediately raised a point of order, arguing that Senate rules forbid reopening debate on any matter that has already been resolved. He maintained that allowing a single senator to speak would mean reopening the entire discussion, contrary to parliamentary procedure.
In his ruling, Senate President Akpabio upheld Oshiomhole’s objection, citing Senate Rule 52(6), which prohibits further deliberation on a matter once a resolution has been made. Akpabio stated that it would be “out of order” to revisit an issue that had already been deferred to a committee.
The exchange quickly went viral on social media, drawing mixed reactions from Nigerians. Many viewers accused Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of seeking attention and attempting to stir unnecessary drama, a position echoed by Wale Adebayo in his online post, where he described her actions as misplaced and aimed more at public sympathy than effective governance.
