Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan officially resumed duties at the National Assembly on Tuesday, marking her return after serving a six-month suspension.
The Kogi Central lawmaker arrived at her Senate office at approximately 1:09 p.m., following the Senate’s decision to unseal her office.
Despite the end of her suspension on September 6, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan maintained that the disciplinary action taken against her was unjust.
“It was illegal,” she stated firmly, reaffirming her stance on the Senate’s decision.
While addressing the press, the senator expressed gratitude to her supporters who stood by her during her absence from legislative activities. She emphasized the value of persistence, noting, “Fighting to the end pays ultimately.”
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also made it clear that she would not issue an apology to the Senate as a precondition for her return, underscoring her resolve and firm position on the matter.
Her return to the National Assembly was accompanied by a large group of supporters, prompting heightened security at the complex. Although security operatives initially tightened access, her supporters eventually gained entry into the premises.
The senator’s suspension in March followed a heated exchange with Senate President Godswill Akpabio concerning seat allocations. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions recommended her suspension, which was subsequently adopted by the Senate.
Her return coincides with a change in the Senate’s legislative calendar. The resumption of plenary, originally slated for September 23, has been postponed to October 7, 2025. The Senate had earlier adjourned on July 24 for its annual recess.
