Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Resumes Senate Duties Following Six-Month Ban

A Kogi Central lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stepped back into the Senate chamber on Tuesday, putting an end to her six-month exclusion from proceedings.

She entered with a cheerful grin as the upper house of parliament kicked off its session after a 10-week break, under the guidance of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

A small group of supporters and campaigners joined her, with rights advocate Aisha Yesufu watching from the public viewing area, though security turned away several others.

Akpoti-Uduaghan strolled straight to her assigned spot, pausing to greet a couple of fellow senators warmly.

Her comeback closes a chapter on a penalty that stirred heated discussions across the country earlier this year.

Back in March 2025, the Senate barred her for half a year, citing improper behaviour linked to her stand against a change to her seating position ordered by Akpabio on 20 February.

Since 6 March 2025, her workspace in Suite 2.05 of the Senate building had stayed sealed shut.

That changed lately when Alabi Adedeji, the deputy head of the National Assembly’s security unit, reopened it, clearing the path for her to return.

Just two weeks earlier, as she gained access to her room, Akpoti-Uduaghan branded Akpabio a “dictator”.

The day’s gathering drew a strong crowd of parliamentarians, signalling a robust restart to official work.

Further updates are expected.