By Aisha Muhammad Magaji
The National Assembly has reopened the office of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) after months of restriction following her suspension earlier this year. The move, confirmed on Tuesday morning, saw security officials unseal her office, restoring her physical access to the Senate wing of the National Assembly.
Suspension and Sealed Office
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 for alleged misconduct after she protested the reassignment of her official seat in the chamber. The suspension barred her from participating in plenary, receiving allowances, and even accessing her office a punishment many critics described as “excessive and undemocratic.”
The suspension, which lasted six months, expired this September. However, the Senator remained locked out of her office until Tuesday’s decision by Senate leadership.
Legal Pushback and Public Pressure
In July, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja faulted the suspension, arguing that it denied the people of Kogi Central representation at the federal level. The ruling added legal weight to the mounting pressure from civil society and political observers, who insisted that the Senate must reverse the disciplinary measure.
Analysts say the unsealing reflects both judicial pressure and the Senate’s attempt to ease political tensions ahead of plenary’s resumption in October.
Senate’s Internal Resolution
According to sources within the Red Chamber, Senate leadership met on Monday evening to consider the matter. The reopening of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s office was agreed upon as part of efforts to restore normalcy.
Although her office has been reopened, reports suggest she may still be required to formally apologise on the floor of the Senate before full reinstatement into legislative duties.
Symbolism for Democracy
For Akpoti-Uduaghan, a first-term Senator and vocal advocate for transparency in governance, the reopening of her office is more than symbolic. It restores her ability to:
- Participate in committee work,
- Meet with constituents and staff, and
- Reengage in national debates once plenary resumes on October 7, 2025.
Political analysts note that the decision also carries democratic implications, as it reinforces the idea that no constituency should remain voiceless in the National Assembly.
Reactions
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other civil society groups have welcomed the development, describing it as “a victory for representation and the rule of law.”
Constituents from Kogi Central, many of whom staged protests during the suspension, expressed relief at the news. “It is a reminder that elected voices cannot be silenced indefinitely,” one youth leader in Okene told reporters.
What’s Next
With her office unsealed, Akpoti-Uduaghan is expected to resume her legislative role when the Senate reconvenes. How she navigates the likely demand for an apology, and her relationship with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, will be closely watched as the chamber seeks unity ahead of its final quarter of the legislative year.
