Natasha: I’ll resume plenary Tuesday, Akpabio’s appeal can’t stop me

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central, has vowed to resume plenary on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in line with a court ruling, despite an appeal filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio contesting the verdict.

Speaking during a training programme in her constituency on Saturday, Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed that she had formally notified the Senate of her intention to return.

“I have pretty much two months more before the six months expire. However, I have written to the Senate again telling them that I’m resuming on the 22nd, which is on Tuesday, by the special grace of God.

“I will be there, because the court did make the decision on that. Now, they argue that it’s an order, it’s not an order, but it is a decision,” she said.

The senator, who was suspended in March, insisted the suspension did not deter her from delivering constituency projects, though it limited her ability to perform crucial legislative roles such as sponsoring bills and moving motions.

“I did mention that every senator has three major functions. Legislative, which is the creation of laws and review of treaties. Then we have oversight, which is to oversee ministers and agencies. And then the third is representation, which I’m doing.

“Whereby I identify the problems and the challenges of my community, and I make sure I present them and have them captured in the federal budget. And I have done pretty well with that. Of course, I do miss putting up my bills there, but it didn’t stop me from working,” she explained.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended following allegations of misconduct — a decision her legal team successfully challenged in court.

Although a recent ruling declared her suspension unlawful, the Senate has lodged an appeal. Still, the senator insists the appeal does not prevent her from returning to the chamber.

Her planned resumption signals a potential clash in the Senate as she asserts what she calls her constitutional right to representation.