Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Returns After Six Months Suspension

After serving out her six months suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP), representing Kogi Central,  resumed plenary at the upper chamber of the National Assembly on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, as the Senate resumed plenary after its annual recess.

Natasha officially resumed her seat in the senate on at exactly 11:42 am, witnesses said, adding that she walked into the Senate chambers, made her way to and took her seat, before exchanging pleasantries with a few senators.

She was accompanied by several activists to the Senate, including Bring Back Our Girls campaigner, Aisha Yesufu, who was spotted in the Senate gallery. However, several of the lawmakers’ supporters were not allowed into the Senate gallery, according to reports.

Recall that on September 23, Natasha’s office at Senate Wing 2.05, was unsealed by the Sergeant at Arms of the National Assembly, along with combined personnel of security organizations, making her resumption possible.

Upon her resumption in September, Senator Natasha remained resolute, insisting that she had no apology to tender. An earlier attempt by the Senator to resume at the expiration of her six month suspension was rebuffed by the Senate which cited pending court cases on the matter.

Recall that the embattled then Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs,  Akpoti-Uduaghan, was in  March slammed with a six-month suspension by the Senate, which also barred her from participating in all activities of the 10th Senate over her alleged misconduct when she protested against the reassignment of her seat by Akpabio on February 20, 2025.

Her suspension ended in September 2025, but she was unable to resume her duties due to pending legal issues and continued opposition from the Senate leadership.

Following her suspension, she took her case to the courts  to vacate the suspension but was unsuccessful. The Senate, on its part, spoke through its relevant officers, insisting that the matter has nothing to do with sexual allegations,  but everything to do with Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s contravention of the Senate Standing Orders as amended.

Binta Nyako, Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in July, described the six-month suspension as excessive and unconstitutional, and thereafter ordered the Senate to recall the embattled Senator, citing that suspending a Senator for such a long period would expose constituents to non-representation during that time.

Thereafter, she made an attempt to return to the Senate, but was denied access, and the Senate stood its ground that she must serve her full term.

Meanwhile, addressing the plenary on Tuesday, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, reaffirmed the Senate’s responsibility to the Nigerian people, stating that “to the citizens of Nigeria, we hear you. You asked us not for excuses, but for results. We will remain accountable and responsive.”

On July 24, both the Senate and House of Representatives adjourned for their annual legislative recess.

However, ad hoc and standing committees were advised to continue their work during the break. The Senate President also encouraged senators to use the period to finalise pending reports and carry out oversight duties.

The recess was originally scheduled to last two months, with lawmakers expected to reconvene on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.

However, on the scheduled resumption date, the National Assembly postponed the return to plenary sessions by two weeks.

Instead of September 23, the lawmakers announced that plenary will now commence on October 7.

The annual recess is a routine part of the National Assembly’s legislative calendar, providing lawmakers the opportunity to balance national duties with constituency responsibilities and personal commitments.