Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Wednesday staged a walkout during a meeting of the Senate Committee on Mines and Steel Development following a heated exchange with the committee’s chairman, Senator Patrick Ndubueze of Imo North.
The disagreement revolved around issues affecting the long-standing moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company, located in her senatorial district.
The Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, was present at the session to defend his ministry’s budget proposal.
Tensions arose towards the end of the over three-hour meeting when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan sought to raise concerns about the current state of the Ajaokuta Steel Company.
However, as she began to speak, Senator Ndubueze informed her that the committee had concluded its budget review with the minister and advised that her questions be deferred to a subsequent appearance.