Abuja, Nigeria – July 23, 2025 — Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, caused a stir on Tuesday when she arrived at the National Assembly complex, determined to resume her duties despite an ongoing suspension. Her attempt was unsuccessful, but she made it clear she would not apologise or beg Senate President Godswill Akpabio to return to work.
Here’s a breakdown of the situation so far — made simple for young readers:
Why Was She Suspended?
Back in March 2025, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate for six months. They said she broke a rule called Standing Order 6, which has to do with seat allocations (basically, where lawmakers are allowed to sit).
She didn’t agree with the suspension and took the matter to the Federal High Court in Abuja.
What Did the Court Say?
On July 4, Justice Binta Nyako ruled that the six-month suspension was “too long.” The judge advised the Senate to reconsider and possibly recall her.
But that wasn’t the end of the story.
The same court also fined Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan ₦5 million for contempt of court and told her to publish an apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page.
Until now, she hasn’t done that.
Different Views on the Court’s Judgment
Even though the court gave its ruling, both the Senator and the Senate see things differently.
- Natasha says the judgment means she should return to work.
- The Senate says the court didn’t order them to let her back in just yet.
She Tried to Return Anyway
On Tuesday, Natasha showed up at the National Assembly, joined by supporters and activist Aisha Yesufu, hoping to enter the building and continue her work as a senator.
Security was tight:
- She was blocked at the first gate (called the MOPOL gate).
- She walked to the main gate, but was met by heavily armed security officers.
- Police had been stationed there as early as 5 a.m.
- Supporters danced and held placards, but Natasha was still not allowed in.
She stayed at the gate for hours, protesting peacefully.
What Natasha Said
Speaking to reporters, Natasha made several strong points:
- She said she would not apologise for something she didn’t do.
- She said it was better to wait out the suspension than beg for justice.
- She believes Senate President Akpabio is using his position to punish her personally.
- She reminded everyone that she once accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, which she believes may be why he’s acting against her now.
Who Appealed the Court’s Decision?
According to Natasha, it wasn’t the entire Senate that appealed the court ruling — only Senator Akpabio did.
She explained that Akpabio filed the appeal in his personal capacity, not on behalf of the Senate or the National Assembly.
Here’s how she put it:
“The National Assembly did not appeal. The Senate did not appeal. The Committee that suspended me did not appeal. Only Akpabio appealed.”
She believes this is proof that her suspension is more about personal politics than actual rules.
Senate’s Response
Before Tuesday, Senate spokesman Senator Yemi Adaramodu had said:
“There is no court order requiring the Senate to allow Natasha back before the suspension ends.”
Since Tuesday’s drama, the Senate has not made any new statements.
What’s Next?
The Senate is about to go on break, and Natasha says she will return whenever they do.
In her words:
“There is just no reason why these gates should not be open… But whenever they [the Senate] deem it fit to resume, we would resume as well.”
What This Means
This is not just a political drama — it’s about standing up for your rights, even when it’s hard. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan believes she was treated unfairly and is using the law and her voice to fight back.
Whether you agree with her or not, the situation teaches us that:
- It’s important to understand the rules and your rights.
- Speaking up can be tough — especially against powerful people.
- The court’s judgment matters, but what happens next often depends on interpretation and courage.
