The standoff between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, and the Senate has escalated as the upper chamber has rejected her reinstatement to the House, despite her having completed the six-month suspension imposed on her. In a letter dated September 4, 2025, Acting Clerk Dr. Yahaya Danzaria confirmed that the Senate received Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s notice
The standoff between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, and the Senate has escalated as the upper chamber has rejected her reinstatement to the House, despite her having completed the six-month suspension imposed on her.
In a letter dated September 4, 2025, Acting Clerk Dr. Yahaya Danzaria confirmed that the Senate received Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s notice to return after her six-month suspension. The National Assembly stated that her resumption would be postponed because the case is currently under review by the Court of Appeal, and is therefore considered sub judice until the judicial process is completed.
Dr Danzaria stated that the National Assembly must wait for the court’s ruling on the Senator’s suspension case before taking any administrative action.
“I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter notifying this office of your intention to resume sitting and other legislative duties in the Senate on the 4th of September, 2025, which you claim is the date of expiration of the 6 months suspension imposed on you by the Senate.
“I am further directed to inform you that your suspension was with effect from Thursday, 6th March 2025 and draw your attention to the fact that the subject matter of your suspension is presently before the Court of Appeal.
“The matter therefore remains subjudice, and until the judicial process is concluded and the Senate formally reviews the suspension in the light of the Court’s pronouncement, no administrative action can be taken by this office to facilitate your resumption.You will be duly notified of the Senate’s decision on the matter as soon as it is resolved.
“Please accept, distinguished Senator, the assurances of my highest regards,” the letter reads.
The disagreement between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate commenced in March of this year, after her seating arrangement was altered without her prior consent. This incident resulted in the disruption of the plenary session underway at that time.
The Senate leadership explained that the relocation of seats was due to some minority lawmakers moving to the majority wing, resulting in an adjustment of seating arrangements. Senator Akpoti expressed disagreement and stated that she was not allowed to speak during the plenary, which led to a disorderly session.
The Senator later appeared on national television, where she accused the Senate President of sexual harassment and alleged that his actions were motivated by her previous rejection of his advances.
The matter was referred to the Senate disciplinary committee after Senator Akpabio refuted the sexual accusation against him. The committee determined that procedural infractions and legal restrictions rendered Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition ineffective, yet she resubmitted it the following day.
Despite the resubmission, the Senate exercised its authority and suspended the lawmaker for six months, defying an existing court injunction that barred the Senate from taking such action until the final ruling on the matter.
The matter sparked heated debate among members of the public and stakeholders, who accused the Senate of bias and favouritism for the Senate President on the issue, leaving no room for transparency and fairness in addressing it.
In July, the Federal High Court in Abuja examined the Senate’s disciplinary process that resulted in Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension and ordered the Senate to reinstate her, stating that her absence left her constituents without representation in the upper chamber.
Despite the court’s judgment, the senator was prevented from accessing the National Assembly when her convoy was stopped at the outer gate in Abuja. She subsequently attempted to proceed on foot but was denied entry by security personnel at the inner gate.
