A brief but notable moment of tension unfolded in the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday after lawmakers hesitated to support a motion by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan concerning the plight of abused Nigerian women detained in Libya.
During plenary, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) presented a motion urging the Nigerian Immigration Service to collaborate with Libyan authorities for the repatriation of Nigerian women allegedly suffering abuse in Libyan prisons.
The senator highlighted disturbing reports that some Nigerian female detainees were sexually exploited, impregnated, and subjected to inhumane treatment while in custody abroad.
“These are our citizens. Some of them are being used and abused. The Senate must act to bring them home,” she appealed to her colleagues.
However, shortly after she presented the motion, Senate President Godswill Akpabio called for a seconder to allow the motion to proceed to debate — a standard legislative procedure.
Surprisingly, no senator stood up to second the motion, not even any of the female lawmakers in the chamber. The hesitation created a moment of awkward silence, briefly stalling proceedings.
It was only after the pause that Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele rose to second the motion, allowing the Senate to continue with discussions.
