By Muhammad Mamman
A fiery exchange erupted on Wednesday between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, during a joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives over the Ajaokuta Steel Company budget.
The confrontation took place during the mines and steel development budget defence session, with both lawmakers trading sharp words on the management and funding of Nigeria’s flagship steel project.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accused the minister of misleading Nigerians on the status of the project, saying, “Don’t lie to Nigerians.”
Audu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who hails from the same state, responded by stating he “takes exception” to the senator’s remarks, sparking a tense back-and-forth that drew the attention of lawmakers and observers alike.
The debate underscores the political and regional sensitivities surrounding the long-delayed Ajaokuta Steel Company, once envisioned as a symbol of Nigeria’s industrial ambitions but plagued by decades of underperformance and stalled investments.
The incident highlights growing scrutiny over government oversight of the steel sector and the rising partisan tensions in Nigeria’s national assembly.
Observers say the clash may signal heightened political debates ahead of the 2026 elections, with both APC and PDP lawmakers under pressure to defend their records on key infrastructural projects.
