Natasha returns to Senate, brands Akpabio a dictator
Natasha returns to Senate, brands Akpabio a dictator
The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Tuesday returned to plenary at the National Assembly after months of suspension, accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of being a “dictator.”
Her resumption came after the Deputy Director of the National Assembly Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji, officially reopened her office in Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing.
Unbowed by her suspension, Senator Natasha declared that she had “no apology to tender.”
Reflecting on her ordeal, she said, “It’s remarkable how much we endured in the past six months — from the unjust suspension to the recall. Yet, we pulled through the recall process, the blackmail, and even that troublesome lady on Facebook.”
“It is amazing what we had to pass through, and I give God Almighty the glory and my deepest appreciation to the people of Kogi Central and Nigerians at large. To my husband, I love you dearly. I pray all men support their wives in the same manner you have supported me.
“In everything, sometimes it is good to push the institution to the test. We can’t cower in the face of injustice. No one is more Nigerian than us. Senator Akpabio is not more of a senator than I am. He is not the governor of this place, yet he treated me as if I were a servant or domestic staff in his house.
“It is so unfortunate that we will have a National Assembly being run by such a dictator. It is totally unacceptable.”
The office had been locked since March 6, 2025, when the lawmaker was suspended from the Red Chamber.
In a video shared on Tuesday, Adedeji was seen removing the seal.
“I, Alabi Adedeji, Deputy Director, Sergeant-at-Arms, hereby unseal the office. The office is hereby unsealed. Thank you,” he declared.
Upon resumption, Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has been at the centre of a protracted standoff with the Senate leadership, maintained her defiance, stressing that she had “no apology to tender.”
The embattled lawmaker was handed a six-month suspension in March, barring her from all activities of the 10th Senate over alleged misconduct during her protest against the reassignment of her seat by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on February 20.
Although her suspension formally lapsed in September, she was unable to return due to legal tussles and resistance from Senate leadership. On July 4, however, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the suspension was excessive and unconstitutional.
“Any inconvenience caused by this short notice is sincerely regretted. Distinguished senators are urged to take note of the postponement and adjust their schedules accordingly. Thank you for your understanding, and God bless.”
The Senate had earlier adjourned plenary on July 24 for its annual recess. At the time, Senate President Godswill Akpabio explained that the decision was an act of “chamber reciprocity,” mirroring the break taken by members of the House of Representatives in line with the legislative calendar.
With the latest postponement, key debates and pending motions—including oversight probes into government expenditure and executive appointments—will remain suspended.
