Six-month disciplinary action ends as Kogi lawmaker prepares for September 23 resumption
ABUJA, Nigeria – Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is set to return to the National Assembly on September 23 following the completion of her six-month suspension. Her legal counsel confirmed the Kogi Central representative has completed the disciplinary period imposed in March.
Return Confirmed by Legal Team
Victor Giwa, representing the suspended senator, announced that Akpoti-Uduaghan is currently in London but has finalized plans for her legislative return.
“Actually, she’s ready to resume her term. She’s in London. Everything is in place, and the six months have expired. The only thing left is her resumption,” Giwa stated during a recent interview.
Giwa sounds confident that Senate leadership will welcome her back without drama. “We have been told that even the leadership of the Senate is ready to welcome her. So that’s the situation at the moment. There is no obstacle at all,” he added. Whether this optimism proves warranted remains to be seen, given the tensions that led to her suspension in the first place.
What Led to the Suspension
The suspension traces back to March 6, when the Senate took disciplinary action over what they termed insubordination. It all started when Akpoti-Uduaghan apparently refused to accept a seat change during a plenary session, something that might seem minor to outsiders but clearly struck a nerve with Senate leadership.
Acting on recommendations from the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, the Senate imposed what amounts to a pretty comprehensive punishment:
- Removal of parliamentary aides
- Loss of office privileges
- Suspension of senatorial salaries
- Six-month exclusion from legislative activities
That’s a significant blow for any lawmaker, essentially cutting them off from both income and influence.
The Sexual Harassment Claims
Here’s where things get more complicated. Senator Natasha Akpoti has consistently argued that her suspension was payback for filing a petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. The Senate leadership, predictably, dismissed these allegations as baseless.
It’s worth noting that Akpoti-Uduaghan didn’t just accept the suspension quietly. She took the matter to court and claims to have won a judgment that should have allowed her return. But Senate leadership wasn’t having it, they insisted the full six-month period had to run its course, court ruling or not.
This kind of standoff raises questions about the balance of power between different branches of government, though it’s not uncommon in Nigerian politics.
The July Standoff
Things got particularly tense in July when Akpoti-Uduaghan tried to force an early return. Security operatives blocked her at the gate while a crowd of supporters gathered outside the National Assembly complex.
The scene probably didn’t help her case with Senate leadership, but it did demonstrate that she still has backing from her constituents. Sometimes these public displays of support can shift political calculations, though apparently not in this instance.
What Happens Next
Now that the suspension period officially ended last Saturday, Giwa seems optimistic that the various legal battles will simply fade away. “Everything will be resolved. Even the court cases will become like an academic exercise,” he said.
The timing is actually pretty convenient, September 23 is when the Senate returns from its annual recess anyway. So Akpoti-Uduaghan can slip back into the chamber along with everyone else, which may help avoid another confrontation.
Still, it’s hard to imagine that six months away has completely healed the rifts that led to this mess. The underlying tensions between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate leadership may well resurface, especially if she continues to press her harassment allegations against Akpabio.
For now, though, it appears the Kogi Central representative will be back to work representing her constituents. Whether that work proceeds smoothly is another question entirely.
