Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Returns to Senate After Suspension, Declares No Apology

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has made a dramatic return to the Nigerian Senate after serving a six-month suspension. Representing Kogi Central, she re-entered the Red Chamber with fiery resolve, boldly declaring that she owes no one an apology for her actions.

Her office, which had been locked since March, was reopened by the Senate’s Sergeant-at-Arms — a symbolic move signaling the leadership’s willingness to move forward. But the jubilant crowd of supporters who accompanied her underscored that the controversy surrounding her suspension is far from over.

The senator’s suspension remains one of the most disputed events in Nigeria’s recent parliamentary history. Officially, she was accused of “gross misconduct” and “unruly behavior” after a heated seating dispute.

However, her punishment came shortly after she publicly accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment — allegations he has strongly denied. This timing fueled speculation that her suspension was politically motivated rather than disciplinary.

Adding to the drama, a Federal High Court ruled her suspension unconstitutional. Despite this, the Senate initially resisted her return, citing ongoing legal processes. The eventual unsealing of her office before the October 7 plenary signaled a possible attempt to avoid growing legal and public pressure.

Speaking to reporters after her return, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan described her suspension as “illegal and unjust.” She refused to apologize, insisting:

“You can’t apologize for an injustice.”

Her unapologetic stance has struck a chord with many Nigerians, particularly women, who see her as a symbol of resistance against what she has called a “dictatorial Senate leadership.”

The senator’s case has become larger than a personal battle. As one of just a few female senators in the 109-member Nigerian Senate, her defiance highlights the broader challenges faced by women in politics.

Her return without apology is a bold statement in a male-dominated chamber, reigniting debates on gender equality in Nigerian politics and the role of women in governance.

While her comeback is significant, the bigger question is whether her colleagues will accept her reintegration into the chamber or whether tensions will resurface.

As plenary resumes, all eyes will be on Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan — not just as a returning lawmaker, but as a political figure determined to challenge entrenched structures of power.

Her unapologetic return could mark either the beginning of reconciliation or the continuation of a deeper power struggle within Nigeria’s Senate.