Drama unfolded at the National Assembly on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended for six months in March, was denied entry into the Senate complex despite a Federal High Court ruling ordering her recall. Accompanied by fiery activist Aisha Yesufu and a crowd of supporters, the Kogi Central lawmaker was blocked at the second gate after initially gaining access past the first security checkpoint.
The senator had earlier vowed to resume plenary, citing a court judgment in her favor. The Abuja court ruling, delivered earlier this month, declared her suspension illegal and mandated her reinstatement. However, Senate leadership, led by President Godswill Akpabio, has appealed the verdict and insists she remains suspended pending further deliberations.
Security personnel locked the final gate to the chambers, effectively barring Natasha and her entourage. The move sparked outrage among her supporters, who viewed the act as a violation of the judiciary’s authority and an affront to democratic order. The senator expressed frustration, announcing she would consult her legal team and continue her fight to return to the chamber when the Senate resumes after its two-month recess.
Natasha’s suspension on March 6 followed her explosive allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Akpabio, triggering widespread public debate and legal action. Her legal team successfully challenged the decision, but the Senate’s spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, claimed the ruling was merely advisory and not binding. He warned the lawmaker against what he called an “attempt to storm the Senate,” which he said would undermine the chamber’s dignity.
In a speech during a recent empowerment event in Ihima, Kogi State, Natasha had reaffirmed her intention to return to the Red Chamber, stressing that the judiciary had spoken. “I have written to the Senate again, telling them that I’m resuming on the 22nd, by the special grace of God,” she declared.
The Senate, however, maintains that no enforceable court order exists compelling them to reinstate her before the end of the suspension period. They insist that any recall must await procedural review of their Standing Orders, along with internal legal consultations.
This latest confrontation underscores a deepening rift between the legislative and judicial arms of government, as well as the rising influence of citizen activism and public scrutiny. For Natasha, the fight continues—not just for her seat, but for what her supporters call “the soul of Nigeria’s democracy.”
