Tense exchange in Senate as Akpabio, Natasha clash during abortion bill debate

A mild play unfolded astatine the Senate connected Tuesday erstwhile Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) engaged successful a little disagreement during deliberation connected the Criminal Code Amendment Bill, which seeks to enforce stiffer penalties for aiding oregon procuring abortions successful Nigeria.

The bill, earlier passed by the House of Representatives and presented for concurrence by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, proposes to summation the punishment for anyone supplying drugs oregon instruments to facilitate abortions from 3 years to 10 years’ imprisonment without an enactment of fine.

According to the sponsor, the amendment aims to update Nigeria’s Criminal Code Act successful enactment with “contemporary social, moral, and aesculapian realities.”

However, statement connected the measure soon became heated arsenic senators expressed divergent views connected what constitutes an “unlawful abortion.”

Senator Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central) argued that termination could, successful immoderate cases, beryllium medically indispensable oregon justified by spiritual principles, informing that broad criminalization could endanger lives.

Similarly, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) cautioned that the amendment mightiness discourage aesculapian practitioners from offering indispensable life-saving interventions for women successful captious conditions. He urged the Senate to suspend further information to let broader consultations “so that we bash not legislate successful a mode that endangers life.”

Following the heated exchanges, Senate President Akpabio intervened, ruling that the measure beryllium stepped down and referred to the Senate Committee connected Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters for further reappraisal and recommendations wrong 2 weeks.

After the ruling, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan sought designation to marque a contribution, appealing to the presiding officer.

“Mr. Senate President, delight whitethorn I speak? I americium a woman, and termination has to bash with women. It is precise important, sir,” she said.

Akpabio, however, maintained that the substance had been suspended “in totality.”

At this point, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) raised a constituent of order, arguing that reopening the treatment aft the gavel had fallen would interruption Senate lasting rules.

“If you assistance this exemption to Senator Natasha, past you indispensable widen it to everyone else,” helium stated.

“The rules should beryllium applied uniformly, arsenic you person already done.”

Upholding Oshiomhole’s objection, Akpabio cited Rule 52 (Subsection 6) of the Senate Standing Orders, which bars reconsideration of immoderate substance that has been concluded.

“I regularisation Senator Natasha retired of order,” Akpabio declared.

Speaking to journalists aft the plenary, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed disappointment astatine not being allowed to lend to the statement connected a measure she said straight affects women’s wellness and rights.

“I americium disappointed I wasn’t allowed to talk astir an contented that concerns women,” she said.

“I americium a woman, a mother, and I felt I should person been recognised — particularly since determination were lone 2 women contiguous astatine plenary today.”

She, however, expressed optimism that she would marque her inputs erstwhile the measure reaches the committee stage.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who precocious returned from a six-month suspension, reaffirmed her committedness to championing issues affecting women and children successful the Senate.

The station Tense speech successful Senate arsenic Akpabio, Natasha clash during termination measure debate appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.