Senate to Revisit Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension as Recess Nears End

As the Nigerian Senate prepares to resume plenary on September 23, 2025, the controversial six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from Kogi Central is set to return to the spotlight. Senator Onyekachi Peter Nwebonyi, in an interview with News Central TV, confirmed that the leadership will reconsider Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case once lawmakers reconvene, following a legislative break that began in late July.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was handed a six-month suspension on March 6, 2025, after an altercation during a February 20 parliamentary session where she refused a reassignment to a different seat. The Senate’s disciplinary committee cited her actions as a breach of its rules, clarifying that the decision was unrelated to her public allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio—a matter that generated further debate across the country. The Senate maintained the suspension was for misconduct and defiance, stressing the need to uphold institutional discipline.

During the recess, Akpoti-Uduaghan has been unable to represent her constituents, a situation critics describe as damaging to the democratic process and the rights of Kogi Central voters. Advocacy groups and public supporters argue her exclusion undermines constitutional guarantees of legislative representation, while some senators defend the measures as essential for preserving order within Nigeria’s highest democratic body.

The suspension’s legitimacy was brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja, which, in a July 2025 ruling, declared the Senate’s six-month ban “excessive and unconstitutional.” Justice B.F.M. Nyako stated that the lengthy suspension effectively silenced Akpoti-Uduaghan for a full session, violating her constituents’ right to continuous representation. The court ordered the Senate to recall her and allow an immediate return to her duties. However, the Senate indicated it is awaiting full compliance with court directives before officially reinstating her.

ADVERTISEMENT

Meanwhile, the political drama escalated with personal allegations and demands for public apologies. Senator Nwebonyi, who has frequently spoken in defense of the Senate President, recently faced a legal ultimatum from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, demanding an apology for comments about their marriage that surfaced during Nwebonyi’s public appearances.

As lawmakers gear up for the September 23 plenary session, the coming weeks will prove decisive for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s future in the Senate. Senators must now balance calls for her reinstatement, adherence to procedural discipline, and the court’s order, with widespread attention on how the chamber handles this landmark dispute. The outcome will have notable ramifications not only for legislative processes, but also for political accountability and representation in Kogi Central.

The Senate’s decision upon reconvening will shape both its immediate future and broader discourse on legislative authority in Nigeria.