Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Defiant After Senate Blockade: ‘I Won’t Apologize, Akpabio Isn’t Above the Constitution’
On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, faced a dramatic standoff at the National Assembly complex in Abuja when security officials barred her from entering the Senate chambers.
The embattled senator, who attempted to resume her duties following a Federal High Court ruling that declared her six-month suspension unconstitutional, accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of defying the court and placing himself above the Nigerian Constitution.
Vowing never to apologize, Natasha stood firm, declaring she would rather wait out her suspension than beg for reinstatement.
Natasha arrived at the National Assembly with supporters, including activist Aisha Yesufu, only to be met with locked gates and a heavy security presence, including police vans and reinforced barricades. Addressing journalists at the scene, she condemned the Senate’s actions, stating, “Akpabio cannot be greater than the Nigerian Constitution.
I got my legitimacy from the people of Kogi who voted me in, not from the Office of the Senate President. His appeal does not cancel the judgment of Justice Binta Nyako.” She described the blockade as a deliberate disregard for the rule of law, accusing the Senate under Akpabio’s leadership of being “openly in contempt of court.”
The Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, had ruled on July 4, 2025, that Natasha’s six-month suspension, imposed in March 2025, was “excessive” and violated Section 63 of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates senators to participate in legislative sittings for a minimum number of days annually.
The court advised the Senate to reconsider the suspension, which Natasha argued justified her return. However, the Senate, through spokesman Senator Yemi Adaramodu, insisted on July 20, 2025, that “there is no court order mandating the Senate to reinstate Senator Natasha before the expiration of her suspension,” claiming the ruling was advisory, not binding.
Tensions and Unmet Court Conditions
The court also found Natasha guilty of contempt for a satirical Facebook post targeting Akpabio, which violated an interim injunction barring public commentary on the case. She was fined ₦5 million and ordered to publish an apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page – conditions she has yet to fulfill. Despite this, Natasha remained defiant, stating, “There is just no reason why these gates should not be open. I will not apologise for something I didn’t do.” She referenced past tensions with Akpabio, including a sexual harassment allegation she made against him, which he denies, as a source of the ongoing feud.
Aisha Yesufu, who accompanied Natasha, condemned the heavy security presence, saying, “This is a place for all Nigerians.
Everyone can enter the National Assembly. Why are they locking the gates? We are going to keep waiting here.” Natasha marched from the first checkpoint to the main entrance, only to face further barricades, but vowed to continue her fight, noting, “I’m a law-abiding citizen. We’ll seek interpretation of the situation in court.”
Background of the Dispute
Natasha’s suspension stemmed from a March 2025 incident involving “unruly and disruptive” behavior during a Senate debate, linked to a disagreement over seating arrangements and her allegations against Akpabio.
She accused him of making sexist remarks, including a comment about her “waist movements” and suggesting she should be “used to” such remarks in a male-dominated Senate. These allegations, raised in a February 2025 interview, sparked national debate, with women’s rights groups like Womanifesto rallying under “We are all Natasha” to protest her suspension as an attack on gender equality. However, some groups, like the Kogi Patriotic Consultative Assembly, urged her to apologize, while others, including Concerned Kogi Youth and Women, petitioned for her recall, citing “gross misconduct.”
Public sentiment, as seen on X, reflects divided opinions. Some users praised Natasha’s courage, with one stating, “Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan has now set a precedent for fighting powerful men in Nigeria” (source: public X post). Others criticized her approach, aligning with the Senate’s stance.
Natasha vowed to escalate the matter to the appellate court for clarification, stating her legal team would address the standoff. She emphasized her commitment to her constituents, saying, “My legitimacy comes from the people of Kogi who voted me in,” and pledged to continue constituency projects despite the suspension.
As of July 23, 2025, the Senate has not issued an official statement on the standoff, leaving the situation unresolved.
Natasha remains resolute, declaring she will not bow to pressure or threats. What are your thoughts on this political showdown? Share your views in the comments . Tell Us Your Mind
