Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has announced her decision to return to plenary on Tuesday, July 22, following a court judgment that nullified her six-month suspension by the Nigerian Senate.
The judgment, delivered on July 4, 2025, declared the suspension unconstitutional, excessive, and a clear violation of her fundamental rights to represent her constituents. The court ruled that the Senate’s action breached Section 63 of the 1999 Constitution and the Senate’s own Standing Orders, which allow for a maximum suspension of only 14 days.
Despite the Senate’s decision to appeal the ruling, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan insists that the judgment affirms her right to resume her legislative duties. Speaking during a press briefing in her constituency on Saturday, she confirmed her intention to return to the National Assembly.
“I have pretty much two months more before the six months expire. However, I have written to the Senate again telling them that I’m resuming on the 22nd, which is on Tuesday, by the special grace of God,” she stated, according to Channels TV.
Addressing legal technicalities around the court’s ruling, the senator added, “They argue that it’s an order, it’s not an order but it is a decision.”
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized that while the suspension did not prevent her from engaging with her constituents or executing community projects, it severely hampered her ability to perform her core legislative functions, such as sponsoring bills and raising motions.
“I did mention that every senator has three major functions: legislative which includes creating laws and reviewing treaties; oversight monitoring ministers and government agencies; and representation identifying and addressing the problems of our communities,” she said.
“And I have done pretty well with that. Of course, I do miss putting up my bills there, but it didn’t stop me from working,” she concluded.
Her return marks a significant moment in the ongoing conversation around legislative accountability and the rights of elected officials under the Nigerian Constitution.
