The National Assembly has officially reopened the Senate office of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), signaling progress toward ending the months-long standoff between the lawmaker and Senate leadership. On Tuesday, personnel from the Sergeant-at-Arms and security agencies unsealed Office 205 in the Senate wing, restoring her full access to the National Assembly complex.
This move comes following her six-month suspension which began in March 2025 after a heated dispute over the reassignment of her Senate seat. Though her suspension ended in September, ongoing legal battles and Senate resistance had kept her locked out of her office and legislative duties. The reopening of her office is seen as a prelude to her possible resumption of duties when plenary reconvenes on October 7, 2025.
Senate sources say a leadership meeting resolved to grant her access, with a formal motion expected to be moved by Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro. The motion may require Akpoti-Uduaghan to tender an apology before she fully resumes participation in Senate activities.
In July, a Federal High Court judge described the length of her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional,” ordering her recall. However, the Senate insisted she serve the full suspension period before returning. Her legal team warned that further delays could lead to contempt proceedings against the National Assembly Clerk’s office.
The unsealing of her office thus marks a critical turning point in a case that has raised debates about legislative discipline, representation, and institutional authority in Nigeria’s political system. With the office now accessible, all eyes are on the upcoming plenary session to see how the Senate will formally reintegrate the Kogi Central Senator into the red chamber.
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