Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is set to return to plenary as her six-month Senate suspension ends.
Her comeback may reignite tensions with leadership following her petition against Senate President Akpabio.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) is poised to resume her legislative duties following the expiration of her six-month suspension from the Senate. The suspension, imposed on March 6, 2025, barred her from plenary sessions, entry into the National Assembly, and access to official resources.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was accused of breaching Senate rules, but she has consistently maintained that the action was politically motivated.
According to her, the suspension stemmed from a petition she filed against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging sexual harassment. The claim sparked sharp controversy within the chamber and among the public.
The suspension ignited weeks of tension, culminating in July when the senator dramatically appeared at the National Assembly complex, accompanied by her lawyers.
She presented a court judgment that stated she should be reinstated, but Senate leaders opposed her attempt to return.
With the suspension now expired, Akpoti-Uduaghan is expected to make her return to plenary. Political observers say her re-entry could test the already strained relationship between her and the Senate leadership, particularly given the unresolved issues surrounding her petition and her defiance during the suspension period.
