The political tension at Nigeria’s National Assembly heightened on Tuesday as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan made a bold attempt to resume her legislative duties—only to be blocked by security operatives and denied access to the chamber.
The Kogi Central lawmaker arrived at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, flanked by her supporters and prominent activist Aisha Yesufu, following a recent Federal High Court ruling ordering her recall. However, her efforts were thwarted as she was stopped at multiple security checkpoints and eventually turned back at a locked gate.
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Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate in March 2025 for six months over alleged breaches of Senate rules. She has consistently maintained that the suspension was politically motivated, claiming it stemmed from her public accusations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Determined to fight back, she challenged the suspension in court. A Federal High Court recently ruled in her favor, instructing the Senate to recall her. But despite the judgment, the Senate leadership, led by Akpabio, has appealed the decision and insists there is no enforceable court order compelling her immediate reinstatement.
In a statement through its spokesman, the Senate warned Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against what it called a premature attempt to “storm the Senate,” claiming it would undermine due process and the dignity of the legislative body.
Unfazed, the senator has vowed to return once the Senate reconvenes from its two-month recess, reaffirming her commitment to her constituents and the rule of law.
As the legal and political drama unfolds, all eyes will remain on both the judiciary and the National Assembly to see how this clash between legislative authority and judicial intervention plays out.
