Senator Natasha Resumes Duties, Labels Akpabio A Dictator After Suspension

After months away from the National Assembly, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central resumed legislative duties on Tuesday, defiantly describing Senate President Godswill Akpabio as a “dictator.”

Her return came after the Deputy Director of the National Assembly Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji, formally unsealed her office in Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing, which had been locked since March 6, 2025.

Speaking to journalists, Akpoti-Uduaghan stood her ground, declaring that she had “no apology to tender” for her suspension. She recounted the ordeal of the past six months, attributing her survival to God, the support of her constituents, and her husband.

“We can’t cower in the face of injustice. Senator Akpabio is not more of a senator than I am, yet he treated me as if I were a servant in his house. It is so unfortunate that the National Assembly is being run by such a dictator,” she said.

Her six-month suspension, handed down in March over alleged misconduct during a protest against the reassignment of her seat, formally expired in September. However, legal disputes and resistance from Senate leadership delayed her return. A Federal High Court ruling in July declared the suspension excessive and unconstitutional.

It remains uncertain whether her full privileges as senator have been restored or if she will sit with colleagues when plenary resumes on October 7, after a fresh shift in the legislative calendar.

The Senate leadership recently postponed plenary resumption from September 23 to October 7, citing internal scheduling, though insiders linked the delay to Independence Day celebrations.