The Senate has turned down a request by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to return to legislative duties, insisting that her suspension remains in force.
In a letter signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, the upper chamber acknowledged receiving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s notice, in which she stated her intention to resume work on September 4, 2025, claiming that the suspension period had elapsed.
However, the Senate maintained that the lawmaker, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, could not resume until the resolution that led to her suspension was formally reviewed and lifted by the chamber.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had argued that her suspension was illegal and time-bound, but the Senate’s response suggests that the matter remains unresolved.
The senator, a member of the opposition, has been a vocal critic of certain legislative practices, and her suspension earlier in the year sparked widespread debate among civil society groups and rights advocates.
It is unclear if the lawmaker plans to challenge the Senate’s decision further, either through internal processes or in court.
