Leadership: Natasha resumes legislative duties 6 months after, says no apology to Senate

*Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, in Kogi State of Nigeria, returns to her office and resumes legislative duties in the Senate, National Assembly, Abuja, after six-month suspension

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, in Kogi State of Nigeria, returned to her office and resumed legislative duties Tuesday, September 23, 2025, in the Senate, National Assembly (NASS), Abuja, FCT.

ConsumerConnect had reported the leadership of the Red Chamber of NASS had suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from office for six months, and her office sealed since March 6, 2025.

The Senate said she was disrespectful, and allegedly breached the Standing Rules over the manner of pursuing justice concerning her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

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Confirming the development Tuesday in a short video clip available in the public space, Mr. Alabi Adedeji, Deputy Director of Sergent-at-Arms in the National Assembly, unsealed the office of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The controversial Senator arrived at the NASS Complex, in Abuja, accompanied by supporters, just hours after the Sergeant-at-Arms had unlocked her office at Suite 2.05 in the Senate wing.

She told reporters: “While we were in court, I read in the news that our office had been opened.

“I even saw a video of the Clerk himself unlocking the door.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, said there was no formal communication issued to her about her reinstatement.

The Senator further noted: “At this moment, I have not been officially communicated to.

“I expect an institution like the National Assembly to follow administrative procedures, with written communication.”

She stated: “The last correspondence we received from the Clerk stated that we were not allowed to resume, as it was within the purview of the Senate.

“But we are here today, and I intend to spend a few minutes in the office.”

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It was gathered that her return to the Senate Tuesday, however, led to a mild drama at the entrance as her supporters insisted on accompanying her inside the Chambers.

She then asked them to remain calm.

Akpoti-Uduaghan said: “Those of you who want to come, it is your office, your right to be there, just as it is your right to be here in the people’s parliament. But I ask that you remain quiet and calm.

“Your voices have been heard, your actions have been loud.

“Nigerians are proud of you, I am proud of you, and our ancestors are proud of you. Now, I will simply walk in.”

Earlier, on July 4, the Federal High Court in Abuja, had declared Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from office as “excessive and unconstitutional”.

The court implored the Senate to consider her reinstatement at the time.

Despite the ruling, the Management of NASS had maintained that she could not return without either a fresh Senate resolution, or a definitive court order to that effect.

Her resumption on Tuesday marked the first time she had accessed her office since the suspension was imposed March 6 this year.

Natasha: No apology for resistance to injustice

Following her resumption of legislative duties Tuesday, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has vowed to not apologise for what she described as her resistance to injustice.

She also stated: “I am going to be quite limited with what I’ll say. In the weeks to come, I will have much to say. ”

According to the Senator, her concern resulted from news reports suggesting that a Senate motion may be raised, calling on her to tender an apology.

She, however, asserted: “So, I am actually worried as to what apology they expect from me. You can’t apologise for an injustice.”

She equally maintained that her six-month suspension from the Senate was unjust, and insisted she would not apologise as a precondition for resuming her legislative duties.

Akpoti-Uduaghan as well expressed gratitude to the people of Kogi Central, her family, and her colleagues who stood by her.

She added: “In everything, it just shows that sometimes it’s good to put the institutions to test.

“We can’t be cowed in the face of injustice. No one is more Nigerian than us,” she said.

The Senator urged fellow Nigerians to not give up on the country despite its current challenges.

She rather expressed confidence that there is “light at the end of the tunnel.”

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