After serving her six-month suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has officially resumed plenary duties at the National Assembly. Her return follows months of political tension, legal battles, and public criticism of the Senate leadership under Godswill Akpabio.
“Our client should just go straight and resume. Anything else is merely an opinion. As Femi Falana said, the Senate cannot become an institution that legalises illegality,” Giwa stated.
He further warned that any attempt to block her entry would contradict the Senate’s own resolution and “plunge the legislature into total chaos.”
‘No apology to tender,’ says Natasha
In her remarks, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan maintained her stance against Senate President Akpabio’s leadership, describing him as a “dictator” and insisting she has “no apology to tender.”
“We can’t cower in the face of injustice. No one is more Nigerian than us. Senator Akpabio is not the governor of this place, yet he treated me as if I were a servant in his house. It’s unacceptable,” she said.
Background to the suspension
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, following her protest over the reassignment of her seat during plenary. The Senate accused her of misconduct, leading to a six-month suspension and the sealing of her office located in Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing.
Her suspension formally lapsed in September, but procedural delays and internal politics prevented her early return. Her office was eventually unsealed by the National Assembly’s Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji.
Senate resumes after long recess
The Senate resumed on October 7, 2025, after extending its annual recess by two weeks. The delay had stalled several key legislative priorities, including national security reforms and budget-related deliberations.
As plenary resumes, all eyes are now on the red chamber to see whether the Kogi senator’s return will reignite tensions or pave the way for reconciliation within the 10th National Assembly.
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