Natasha invites Akpabio to project commissioning

Strong indications have emerged that the rift between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) and Senate President Godswill Akpabio has been resolved, following an invitation extended by the Kogi lawmaker to Akpabio and other Senators for a series of project commissioning events in Kogi State next week.

The invitation, personally signed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, was read aloud during Thursday’s plenary by the Senate President himself.

In the letter, she invited her colleagues to Ihima, Kogi State, on Sunday, for the commissioning of constituency projects to mark her second anniversary in the Senate.

The letter read in part: “In marking my second-year anniversary as a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I wish to invite my Distinguished colleagues to join me for the commissioning of projects in Kogi State.”

According to the letter, the meeting point for the event will be her residence at Plot 101, Jimoh Akpoti Street, Ihima, Okene, Kogi State, while Senators arriving by air may use the Obajana Airstrip before proceeding to Ihima by road.

After reading the letter, Senator Akpabio warmly responded, saying:

“Congratulations in advance.”

This gesture, observers say, marks a symbolic reconciliation between both lawmakers, whose relationship had earlier soured over a seat reallocation dispute in the Senate.

The disagreement culminated in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension on March 6, 2025, before she was reinstated on September 24.

Since her return, the Kogi lawmaker has been actively participating in plenary sessions and engaging constructively with Senate leadership. Last week, she contributed to the debate on the Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, successfully moving an additional prayer that was adopted by the Senate.

However, her recent invitation to Akpabio and other Senators is viewed as the clearest sign yet of reconciliation, signaling a new chapter of cooperation between both legislators.