From Moshood Karim
After months of legal battles, political stand-offs and courtroom drama, the Senate has finally unsealed the office of embattled lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, signalling a possible end to her protracted feud with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Uptown Press can report.
On Tuesday, the Sergeant-at-Arms of the National Assembly, backed by security operatives, reopened Office 205 in the Senate Wing, which had been locked since March when Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central under the PDP, was slammed with a six-month suspension. The move effectively restores her access to the National Assembly premises ahead of plenary resumption on 7th October.
Senate insiders disclosed that the decision followed a leadership meeting where it was agreed that the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, would move a motion for her to apologise on the floor—a step expected to seal her return.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension stemmed from a heated protest against the reassignment of her seat on 20th February, sparking accusations of misconduct. While the Senate insisted the penalty was in line with its Standing Orders, the Federal High Court, Abuja, in July described the six-month suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional,” ruling that her constituents should not be denied representation.
Despite the court’s verdict, she was repeatedly denied access, with the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Kamorudeen Ogunlana, maintaining that only the Senate leadership could determine her return. Her legal team, led by SAN Michael Jonathan Numa, had threatened contempt proceedings against the CNA for failing to comply with the court order.
Tuesday’s development is therefore viewed as a political truce, clearing the path for Akpoti-Uduaghan to resume her legislative duties after nearly seven months of absence.
As plenary resumes in October, all eyes will be on the Senate floor to see whether the apology motion passes smoothly or reignites the bitter row that has kept one of Kogi’s most outspoken legislators at the centre of controversy.
