Strong indications emerged on Tuesday that the standoff between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) and Senate President Godswill Akpabio is nearing resolution, as security personnel and the Sergeant-at-Arms of the National Assembly unsealed her office in the Senate wing.
With this development, the embattled lawmaker suspended in March for six months over alleged misconduct has now been granted access to her office and the National Assembly premises, paving the way for her possible return to legislative duties.
The decision to unseal her office was taken at a Senate leadership meeting, ahead of plenary resumption on October 7, 2025. According to sources, the plan is for Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) to move a motion for Akpoti-Uduaghan to apologise before her full reinstatement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, former chair of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, was suspended after a row over her reassigned seat on February 20, 2025. Though a Federal High Court in Abuja later ruled the suspension unconstitutional, citing that her constituents were being denied representation, the Senate stood its ground until the suspension term lapsed.
Legal tussles had further delayed her resumption, with her counsel, Michael Jonathan Numa (SAN), threatening contempt proceedings against the Clerk to the National Assembly for failing to facilitate her return. However, the CNA, Kamorudeen Ogunlana, maintained that his office lacked authority to override Senate resolutions.
The unsealing of her office is now seen as a significant step toward compliance with the court ruling and reconciliation within the Senate. Observers say all eyes will be on the red chamber when plenary resumes to see how the leadership formalises her return.
