Tense exchange in Senate over Abortion Bill, as Akpabio, Natasha, and Oshiomhole clash
By Habiba Kaita
A heated exchange occurred at the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday during deliberation on the Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, a proposal relating to abortion laws and stricter punishments for sexual offences.
The disagreement began when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, requested to speak on the abortion aspect of the bill, saying, “Mr. Senate President, please may I speak? I’m a woman, and abortion has to do with women.”
However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, announced that the bill had already been suspended. “This bill has been stepped down in totality,” he said.
Akpabio later called Senator Natasha several times to make her contribution, but she did not respond immediately. When she eventually stood to speak, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District and former Governor of Edo State, quickly raised a point of order.
Oshiomhole said, “Rule of Order. Senator Natasha can’t speak on this issue because the matter has been concluded. Let’s follow the rules.”
The disagreement led to a short exchange before Akpabio reaffirmed that the bill had been referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights for further review within two weeks.
The Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025 aims to raise punishments for rape and child defilement, and also allow abortion only in special cases such as rape, incest, or when the mother’s life is in danger.
