The National Assembly has granted suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan access to her office and the National Assembly premises, signaling a potential resolution to her prolonged dispute with Senate leadership.
The Sergeant at Arms of the National Assembly, accompanied by security personnel from various organizations, unsealed Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s office 205 in the Senate wing on Tuesday, marking a significant step toward resolving the impasse that has kept the Kogi Central representative away from legislative duties.
This development suggests that the conflict between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio may be approaching resolution, with sources indicating that arrangements are being made for her potential return to active legislative participation.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the decision to grant office access was reached during Monday’s Senate leadership meeting, where discussions centered on creating a pathway for the suspended senator’s return to legislative duties. The arrangement reportedly involves a formal process that could see Akpoti-Uduaghan resume her responsibilities as early as October 7, 2025.
Sources revealed that Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, representing Benue South under the PDP, is expected to move a motion requiring Akpoti-Uduaghan to offer an apology as part of the resolution process. The motion, once moved and seconded, would need to be approved by the Senate to complete her reinstatement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was handed a six-month suspension by the Senate in March 2025, following what was described as misconduct during her protest against a seat reassignment ordered by Senate President Akpabio on February 20, 2025. The suspension barred her from participating in all activities of the 10th Senate during the stipulated period.
While her suspension officially ended in September 2025, the senator has been unable to resume her legislative duties due to ongoing legal complications and continued resistance from the Senate leadership. The unsealing of her office represents the first concrete step toward normalizing her status within the upper legislative chamber.
The original controversy arose when Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly objected to Akpabio’s decision to reassign her seating arrangement within the Senate chamber. Her protest, which Senate leadership deemed inappropriate conduct, triggered the disciplinary action that has kept her away from legislative proceedings for several months.
The resolution process now appears to hinge on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s willingness to participate in the formal apology procedure outlined by the Senate leadership. The proposed motion by the Minority Leader suggests that the Senate is seeking a face-saving mechanism that allows both parties to move forward without prolonged confrontation.
This development comes as the Senate prepares for the resumption of plenary sessions in October, with legislative business requiring full participation from all senators to address pending national issues. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return would restore the Kogi Central constituency’s full representation in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
