Natasha Shuns Apology, Reclaims Senate Office After Six-Month Suspension

Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, yesterday returned to her National Assembly office, insisting she would not apologise to the Senate as a precondition for her reinstatement.

The embattled lawmaker, who arrived the National Assembly complex at about 1:09pm, described her suspension as “illegal” and accused the leadership of the Senate of perpetrating fraud in the process that led to her ouster.

Her office was unsealed on Tuesday following a leadership meeting held the previous day, where senators resolved that keeping her away any longer would amount to creating “needless distractions” for the chamber.

Speaking with journalists after resuming, Akpoti-Uduaghan said:

> “I am worried as to what apology they expect from me. You can’t apologise for an injustice. The document that led to my suspension was written in the office of the Senate President and the endorsement sheet attached was fraudulent. This is illegality upon illegality.”

She warned that no amount of pressure would make her tender an apology, stressing that she resisted alleged attempts to treat her as a “domestic staff” of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Akpoti-Uduaghan thanked her constituents, legal team, husband, opposition parties, women groups, and the media for standing by her during the suspension.

Her return came just hours after the Senate postponed its resumption of plenary from September 23 to October 7.

Background

The senator was suspended in March after a shouting match with Akpabio over seating arrangements. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions recommended her suspension, which was ratified at plenary.

Akpabio had announced that the suspension could only be lifted if she tendered a written apology, a condition she repeatedly rejected.

Allegations Against Akpabio

Beyond the row on the floor, Akpoti-Uduaghan also petitioned the Senate in March, accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment, abuse of office, and obstruction of legislative duties. She claimed the Senate President made inappropriate advances towards her during a December 2023 visit to his Akwa Ibom residence, even in the presence of her husband.

Akpabio denied the allegations, while both parties dragged each other to court in a series of legal battles, including a cybercrime suit filed against Natasha by the federal government.

NBA Intervention

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) recently waded into the matter, cautioning Akpabio against using his office to block Natasha’s return. NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) said her constituents must not be left without representation, insisting the Senate had no basis to prevent her from resuming after the expiration of her suspension.