BREAKING: Senate unseals Senator Natasha’s office

The Senate has reopened the office of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), signaling a possible end to her prolonged suspension and standoff with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

On Tuesday, the Sergeant-at-Arms, supported by security operatives, unsealed Office 205 in the Senate wing, restoring her access to the National Assembly complex.

This development paves the way for her likely return when lawmakers reconvene on October 7, 2025.

Parliamentary sources disclosed that the Senate leadership reached the decision during a meeting on Monday. The Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), is expected to move a motion for Akpoti-Uduaghan to tender an apology before resuming plenary.

The Kogi lawmaker was suspended for six months in March after protesting the reassignment of her seat. Although the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, later declared the suspension “excessive and unconstitutional,” the Senate insisted she must serve the full term.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Michael Jonathan Numa (SAN), had threatened legal action if she was not recalled by mid-September, warning of contempt proceedings and constitutional breaches. However, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamorudeen Ogunlana, said only the Senate could resolve the matter through a fresh resolution.

With her office reopened, attention now turns to the October plenary session, where the Senate will determine whether she can reclaim her seat unconditionally or be required to issue a formal apology.