Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Resumes Senate Duties After Suspension

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has officially resumed her legislative duties after months of suspension. She regained access to her office at the National Assembly on Tuesday, following its unsealing by Alabi Adedeji, Deputy Director of the Sergeant-at-Arms.

Her office, located in Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing, had been sealed since March 6, 2025, when she was suspended from the Red Chamber over alleged misconduct. In a video shared on Tuesday, Adedeji was seen removing the seal, stating, “I, Alabi Adedeji, Deputy Director, Sergeant-at-Arms, hereby unseal the office. The office is hereby unsealed. Thank you.”

Speaking to journalists after resuming, Senator Natasha remained defiant, declaring that she had “no apology to tender.”

“In retrospect, it is amazing how much we have endured over the past six months — from the unjust suspension to the recall process,” she said. “We survived the recall, blackmail, and even attacks online. I give glory to God Almighty and express my deepest gratitude to the people of Kogi Central and Nigerians at large. To my husband, I love you dearly and pray that all men support their wives as you have supported me.”

She further stated that her ordeal was a test of institutional resilience, insisting that injustice must be challenged:

“We cannot cower in the face of injustice. No one is more Nigerian than us. Senator Akpabio is not more of a senator than I am. He is not the governor of this place, yet he treated me as though I were a servant. It is unfortunate that the National Assembly is being run like a dictatorship — it is completely unacceptable.”

Although her six-month suspension expired in September, her return was delayed by legal battles and pushback from Senate leadership. However, on July 4, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that her suspension was excessive and unconstitutional.

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Following the court’s decision, Akpoti-Uduaghan formally notified the Senate of her intention to resume duties, though her request was initially ignored. It is still unclear whether Tuesday’s development fully restores her privileges as a senator, or if she will be allowed to sit with her colleagues when plenary resumes on October 7.