There was mild drama at the National Assembly on Tuesday as security operatives denied entry to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who had vowed to resume legislative duties following a court order directing her recall.
The Kogi Central lawmaker arrived the National Assembly complex around noon in a black vehicle but was stopped at the first gate by security personnel. After minutes of waiting, Akpoti-Uduaghan alighted from the car and proceeded on foot, accompanied by a crowd of supporters including activist Aisha Yesufu.
Despite their persistence, the senator and her entourage were barred again at the second gate and later met a locked entrance. All attempts to gain access were rebuffed by security agents.
Visibly displeased, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan left the premises, vowing to consult her legal team on the next steps. “I’ll be back,” she declared, hinting that she would resume once the Senate reconvenes after its two-month recess.
Her attempted resumption follows a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja, which ordered the Senate to recall her from suspension. The upper chamber, however, has appealed the ruling.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 for six months over alleged misconduct, following her claims of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio—a claim she insists is true and the basis of her legal challenge.
On Saturday, during an empowerment event in her Ihima hometown in Kogi, the senator announced her intention to resume sitting on July 22, citing the court’s directive.
“I’ve written to the Senate that I’ll be resuming on the 22nd,” she said. “The court has made a decision and I am acting based on that.”
But the Senate insists her action is premature.
Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, on Sunday dismissed the court’s decision as merely an “advisory opinion” and not a binding order.
“We advise the Distinguished Senator to refrain from any attempt to storm the Senate next Tuesday under a false pretext,” he said in a statement.
“The Senate, as a law-abiding institution, is committed to due process and will, at the appropriate time, consider the advisory opinion of the court. Until then, she is respectfully advised to stay away from the chambers.”
