Former Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has weighed in on the ongoing seat arrangement controversy between Senators Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Godswill Akpabio, asserting that the issue should not be viewed as a gender matter.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program on Wednesday, Shaibu emphasized that the allocation of seats and offices in the National Assembly are privileges rather than entitlements.
He stressed that lawmakers must lobby for these positions rather than assuming they have an automatic right to them.
Having served as a lawmaker in both the Edo State House of Assembly and the National Assembly, Shaibu shared his own experience, highlighting the importance of lobbying to secure desired seats and offices in the legislature. He noted that after moving from the Edo State House of Assembly to the National Assembly, he quickly recognized the necessity of lobbying for favorable placements and took steps to ensure his office and seat were located in desirable areas.
Shaibu further explained that when he first arrived in Abuja, he immediately began lobbying for a suitable office location and seat. He contrasted his approach with that of newcomers, who may not realize the importance of such actions in securing the best arrangements.
He made it clear that the rules governing the allocation of seats and offices in the National Assembly are straightforward and apply equally to all lawmakers, regardless of gender. The established rules are meant to guide all members of the House and should be adhered to by everyone.
Regarding the ongoing dispute, Shaibu dismissed claims that the issue was rooted in gender and suggested it was instead a matter of miscommunication. He emphasized the importance of adhering to the clear rules of the legislature.
The controversy began on February 20, 2025, when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, rejected the seat assigned to her in the Senate and challenged the Senate President’s decision.
Shaibu said, “Interestingly, Natasha is my friend. Senator Akpabio, the president of the Senate, is my political leader.
“There are rules guiding the House. When I was in the National Assembly, it is the prerogative of the leadership of the House to allocate office and to allocate seats, and in the House, there is what is called lobbying; you lobby for everything.
“For you to have a good office when you come in, maybe because of my experience as a two-term member of Edo State House of Assembly, when I came to Abuja from day 1, I went quickly to lobby, to check the kind of offices that they have areas and locations.
“I was able to lobby to have my office close to where I wanted it, I was able to hurriedly lobby for where I wanted to sit. Whereas some persons who are coming for the first time did not know that you lobby for things like that.
“There are rules; the rules of the House if clear and you must be guided by them, it doesn’t mean whether you are a man or a woman. The rules are meant for the House.
“The issue of seats and offices are a privilege. For me, I don’t think this is a gender thing; I think there is a miscommunication somewhere and we should abide by the rules of the House, and the rules are clear and the rules are not meant for women nor are they meant for men.”
