Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, is set to resume plenary duties today after serving her six-month suspension. Her legal team confirmed she has completed her punishment and warned the Senate against any attempt to block her return. The development has intensified attention on the National Assembly’s resumption after its extended recess.
Lawyer Confirms Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Return to Senate
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Victor Giwa, told Journalists that his client will resume legislative duties on Tuesday. He said, “Our client should just go straight and resume on Tuesday. Anything else is just an opinion.”
Giwa added that “the Senate cannot become an institution that legalises illegality,” stressing that its actions must always align with the law.
He warned that any attempt to stop the Kogi Central senator would “contradict the Senate’s own resolution and create total chaos.”
Legal Team Warns Senate Against Obstruction
Giwa stated that Akpoti-Uduaghan had fully served her suspension and is constitutionally entitled to resume.
He said, “If you deny her the chance to resume, you are going against your own resolution. That is total chaos you are fanning, and the National Assembly cannot be seen promoting such.”
The lawyer added that ongoing court proceedings would only determine whether her suspension in March was legally justified, not her right to return.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Slams Akpabio, Calls Him ‘Dictator’
Following the unsealing of her office two weeks ago, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of authoritarian leadership.
She said, “Senator Akpabio is not more of a senator than I am. He treated me like a servant. It’s so unfortunate that we have a National Assembly run by such a dictator. It is totally unacceptable.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan maintained that she had “no apology to tender,” despite the controversies surrounding her suspension.
“It’s amazing how much we have had to endure in six months—from unjust suspension to recall. But we survived the recall, blackmail, and that crazy lady on Facebook,” she said.
Background: Six-Month Suspension and Office Sealing
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, for alleged misconduct after protesting the reassignment of her seat by Senate President Akpabio.
Her office was locked the same day by the National Assembly’s Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji.
Although her suspension ended in September, her return was delayed due to legal disputes and alleged resistance from Senate leadership.
Tension Ahead of Senate Resumption
The Senate had postponed its resumption from September 23 to October 7, 2025, extending its annual recess by two weeks.
Now, as the National Assembly reconvenes, attention is fixed on whether Akpoti-Uduaghan will freely return to plenary or face another confrontation at the chamber’s gates.
Spotlight on Kogi Senator’s Return
All eyes are on the Senate as Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan prepares to reclaim her seat after six turbulent months. Her return will test the institution’s commitment to law, fairness, and internal democracy.
