Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central on Tuesday returned to her office at the National Assembly after completing a six-month suspension. She arrived at the Senate wing at about 1:09 p.m., following the decision by Senate leadership to unseal her office.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, whose suspension ended on September 6, described the action taken against her as “illegal” and vowed she would not apologise for it. Speaking with journalists after resuming work, she said she had been informed that an apology was a condition for her reinstatement but insisted she would not “apologise for an injustice.”
She alleged that the document recommending her suspension, read on the floor by Senator Neda Imasuen, originated from the office of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and contained signatures attached without consent. “The entire process was fraught with irregularities,” she maintained.
Akpoti-Uduaghan thanked her supporters, including lawyers, opposition parties, women’s groups, the media, her husband and constituents, for standing by her during her suspension. Large crowds accompanied her to the National Assembly complex on Tuesday, prompting tighter security at the gates before they were eventually allowed in.
Her suspension in March followed a heated exchange with the Senate President over seating arrangements. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions had recommended the six-month ban, which was later adopted by the chamber.
Her return coincided with the Senate’s decision to postpone its plenary resumption from September 23 to October 7, after adjourning on July 24 for its annual recess.
