“Akpabio Not More Senator Than I Am; He Treated Me Like A Servant”, Natasha Says As She Finally Resumes At Senate (video)
Suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has returned to her office at the National Assembly after it was reopened by the Sergeant-at-Arms, supported by a team of security operatives.
The unsealing of her office signals that the lawmaker may soon resume legislative duties as the Senate prepares to reconvene plenary on October 7, 2025.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s office had been locked for six months following her suspension in March over alleged violations of the Senate’s standing rules.
The suspension came after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment—an allegation that stirred controversy within and outside the chamber.
She said as she resumed, “Senate President Akpabio is not more of a senator than I am; he treated me as if I were his servant and domestic staff.
“We can’t calm down in the face of injustice in Nigeria; no one is more Nigerian than another. Sometimes it’s good to put institutions to the test.
“Even though I was suspended illegally, I effectively carried out my duties as a senator to Kogi Central because I didn’t want them to suffer neglect,” she said.
Her suspension drew widespread criticism, particularly from civil society groups and opposition politicians, who condemned the Senate’s decision as politically motivated.
In July, Akpoti-Uduaghan approached the court in a bid to challenge her suspension and sought to return to plenary, but the attempt proved unsuccessful.
