Senator Natasha Akpoti Reveals Why She Postponed Her Return To Senate

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has postponed her return to the Senate, despite a court ruling that overturned her recent suspension.

Speaking during an interview on African Independent Television (AIT) on Tuesday, Natasha Akpoti explained that her decision was based on legal advice and her respect for due process.

Despite the court ruling in her favour, her previously announced plan to resume on Tuesday stirred tension at the National Assembly.

Security was visibly tight, and vehicles were searched as anticipation grew over whether she would show up.

Natasha said she would wait for the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court’s judgment before deciding when to return to Senate proceedings.

Although the court had ruled that her suspension was “excessive and unconstitutional,” a separate legal opinion written by the Senate’s legal adviser, Paul Daudu (SAN) argued that the judgment didn’t compel the Senate to let her back in.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan acknowledged this legal standoff but stood firm in her belief in the justice system.

She also defended her work outside the Senate since the suspension, noting that she has remained fully engaged with her constituency.

Natasha pointed to several projects she’s led, including solar-powered streetlights, smart market developments in different local councils, and distributing laptops to students at Meseta Memorial College.

“I remained active throughout. These are personal initiatives—I was hoping to finish the gold bill and move on to others like lithium and red mineral legislation. I can’t simply hand them over to others,” she added.

Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized that the larger issue goes beyond her personal case, noting that it’s about fair representation.

She argued that by keeping her out, the Senate was silencing not just her constituents in Kogi Central, but also reducing the already limited voice of women and children in Nigeria’s legislative process.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central—it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

Natasha stressed her continued dedication to public service and justice, saying “I believe in the judiciary, I’m not giving up.”

KanyiDaily recalls that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was recently arranged on six new charges for allegedly defaming Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.