Strong indications have emerged that the rift between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) and Senate President Godswill Akpabio may be nearing resolution, following the unsealing of her National Assembly office.
On Tuesday, personnel from the Sergeant-at-Arms and security agencies reopened the senator’s Office 205 in the Senate wing, granting her access to the premises for the first time since her suspension.
The development clears the way for Akpoti-Uduaghan to potentially return to legislative duties when the Senate resumes plenary on October 7, 2025.
According to sources, the decision to reopen her office was reached during a leadership meeting of the Senate. A motion is expected to be moved on the floor, likely by Minority Leader Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), requesting that she tender an apology before her full reinstatement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 for six months over alleged misconduct, after protesting the reassignment of her seat by Akpabio. At the time, she was serving as chair of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs. The suspension barred her from all 10th Senate activities.
Although the suspension formally lapsed in September, the senator was unable to return to duty due to lingering disputes and legal hurdles.
She challenged the suspension in court but initially failed to secure relief. Senate officials maintained that her sanction was based on violations of standing orders, not on personal allegations.
In July, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ruled the six-month suspension unconstitutional and excessive. The court held that prolonged exclusion of a lawmaker denied constituents their right to representation and ordered the Senate to reinstate her.
The Senate is now expected to formalize her return when plenary resumes next month, pending the outcome of the proposed motion and her anticipated apology.
