Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has returned to her National Assembly office following the unsealing of the facility after her six-month suspension, using the occasion to launch sharp criticism against Senate President Godswill Akpabio while thanking supporters for their unwavering backing.
The Kogi Central Senator, flanked by cheering supporters, gained access to her office and immediately addressed the challenges she faced during her suspension period, including what she described as an attempted recall effort against her.
Speaking from her office, Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed gratitude to those who supported her throughout the ordeal, mentioning specific individuals by name and crediting their solidarity with forcing the Senate leadership to restore her office access.
The senator used strong language to criticize Akpabio’s treatment of her during the dispute, accusing the Senate President of inappropriate conduct that she characterized as demeaning.
“It is good to put institutions to the test; no one is more Nigerian than us. Senator Akpabio is not more of a senator than I am, and he treated me like I was his servant,” Akpoti-Uduaghan stated, emphasizing her equal status as an elected representative.
She expanded on her criticism of the Senate President’s behavior, describing his approach as reducing her to domestic staff status. “We cannot cower in the face of injustice,” she declared, positioning her stance as a principled fight against what she views as institutional mistreatment.
Despite her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan maintained that she continued serving her constituents throughout the period, ensuring they did not suffer from her enforced absence from the Senate chamber.
“Even though I was suspended illegally, I effectively carried out my duties as a senator to Kogi Central because I didn’t want them to suffer neglect,” she said, defending both the legitimacy of her suspension challenge and her commitment to constituency representation.
The senator’s remarks suggest she views her suspension as legally questionable, indicating potential ongoing disagreement with the Senate leadership’s handling of the disciplinary action that began in March 2025.
Her criticism of Akpabio appears to reflect deeper tensions about power dynamics within the Senate, with Akpoti-Uduaghan positioning herself as standing up against what she perceives as authoritarian behavior from the chamber’s leadership.
The presence of supporters during her return to the office demonstrates that she retains a base of backing despite the prolonged dispute with Senate leadership. Their cheers and presence suggest continued solidarity with her position throughout the suspension period.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s comments about forcing the Senate President’s hand imply that external pressure, rather than internal Senate reconciliation processes, may have contributed to the restoration of her office access.
The senator’s defiant tone suggests that while her office has been unsealed, the underlying tensions with Senate leadership may not be fully resolved, potentially setting the stage for continued friction when she resumes full legislative duties.
