Paragraph 1: The Return of a Defiant Senator
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, made a resolute return to the National Assembly on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, after a protracted six-month suspension. Her office, sealed since March 6, 2025, was finally unsealed by the Deputy Director of the National Assembly Sergeant-at-Arms, signifying the end of her forced absence. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return was marked by an unwavering stance, as she declared she had “no apology to tender” for her actions that led to the suspension. She criticized Senate President Godswill Akpabio, labeling him a “dictator” for his handling of the situation. This marked the latest chapter in a tense standoff between the senator and the Senate leadership.
Paragraph 2: The Genesis of the Conflict
The Senator’s suspension stemmed from an incident on February 20, 2025, when she protested against the reassignment of her seat by Senate President Akpabio. The Senate leadership deemed her protest as misconduct and imposed a six-month suspension, barring her from all Senate activities. The suspension was initially set to lapse in September. However, legal challenges and resistance from the Senate leadership prevented her immediate return. A Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on July 4, 2025 that the suspension was excessive and unconstitutional, paving the way for her eventual return, albeit delayed and contested.
Paragraph 3: Legal Battles and Delayed Resumption
Following the court’s favorable ruling, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan formally notified the Senate of her intention to resume her duties. However, this request was initially rebuffed by the National Assembly. This resistance further fueled the conflict between the senator and the Senate leadership. While the unsealing of her office marked a significant step towards her reinstatement, it remained unclear whether her full privileges as a senator had been restored and if she would be permitted to participate fully in plenary sessions upon the Senate’s resumption.
Paragraph 4: A Postponed Return to Plenary
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the Senate leadership announced a further postponement of its resumption of plenary sittings. Initially scheduled for September 23, 2025, the resumption date was pushed back to October 7, 2025. This two-week delay, conveyed in an internal memo from the Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Chinedu Akubueze, extended the chamber’s annual recess. While officially attributed to allowing senators to fully participate in Independence Day celebrations on October 1, 2025, it also fuelled speculation that the postponement might be connected to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return and the desire to manage the situation.
Paragraph 5: Implications of the Delay and Ongoing Conflict
The postponement of plenary further delayed critical legislative business, including debates, motions, oversight inquiries into government spending, and executive appointments. The ongoing conflict between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate leadership raised questions about the balance of power within the legislative chamber and the potential impact on the effective functioning of the Senate. The senator’s strong criticism of the Senate President as a “dictator” also highlighted concerns about the democratic processes within the institution.
Paragraph 6: Awaiting Full Reinstatement
While Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s office had been unsealed, her full reinstatement and participation in Senate activities remained pending. The resumption of plenary on October 7, 2025, was expected to provide clarity on her status and the Senate’s response to the court ruling. The situation continued to be closely watched, with observers keen to see how the Senate would navigate this internal conflict and manage the ongoing tensions with the returning senator. The unfolding events will undoubtedly have lasting implications for the relationship between individual senators, the Senate leadership, and the overall functioning of the 10th Senate.
