By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Mild drama unfolded in the Senate on Tuesday when lawmakers initially refused to second a motion brought forward by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, which sought the repatriation of Nigerian women reportedly abused in Libyan prisons.
The incident occurred during discussions on a motion addressing the violation of the rights of Nigerian immigrants in Libya.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central under the Peoples Democratic Party, urged the Senate to act on behalf of Nigerian women allegedly held in Libyan detention centres.
She claimed that some of the women were being sexually exploited by prison officials and were forced to bear children while in custody.
The senator therefore called on the Senate to direct the Nigerian Immigration Service to work with Libyan authorities to secure their repatriation.
Following her presentation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio asked if any lawmaker would second the motion, a necessary procedural step before debate could begin.
Initially, no senator—including the female members—volunteered to do so, leaving the chamber in an awkward silence.
The deadlock was broken when Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele finally stood to second the motion, allowing the proceedings to move forward.
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