In a dramatic turn of events, Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan has regained access to her Senate office and formally reentered the chamber, even as Senate President Godswill Akpabio was conspicuously absent from parliamentary proceedings.

Return After Suspension

After serving a six‑month suspension that began in March, Senator Akpoti‑Uduaghan walked into her sealed Senate office in the “White House” wing of the National Assembly today, which the authorities had unsealed without public announcement.

She declared her return a reclamation of her mandate, asserting that she owes “no one an apology” for challenging the circumstances that led to her suspension.

Her reentry comes amid calls from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other political observers urging the Senate leadership to cease obstructing her resumption.

The ADC has publicly chastised the Senate for defying the conclusion of the suspension term, deeming the continued barring of Akpoti‑Uduaghan as a violation of democratic principles and the rule of law.

Why She Was Suspended — And Why She Demands Reinstatement

The roots of this impasse trace back to an explosive confrontation earlier in the year, when Senator Akpoti accused the Senate President of sexual harassment—allegations he has vehemently denied.

The Senate’s Committee on Ethics later dismissed her petition on procedural grounds, citing that she signed it herself in violation of its rules and that the matter was already sub judice (i.e., before the courts).

On March 6, 2025, following a recommendation by the same committee, she was suspended for “disorderly conduct” and other breaches of Senate standing orders. Her rights to salary, security, and access to parliamentary facilities were revoked.

Akpoti has persistently insisted that her suspension was politically motivated and irregular. She maintains the document used to effect it was prewritten by the Senate leadership, and she described her treatment as humiliating and unlawful.

Akpabio’s Absence & Senate Dynamics

In a striking irony, Senate President Godswill Akpabio was not present at today’s sitting as Senator Akpoti reentered.

Whether this absence was strategic, symbolic, or coincidental remains unclear.

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Analysts believe Akpabio’s absence may reflect a tactic to avoid direct confrontation or public optics, especially given the heightened tension and scrutiny surrounding this matter.

Some observers note that Senate leadership has consistently framed Akpoti’s challenges as internal disciplinary issues rather than matters of personal or constitutional import.

What Lies Ahead

Now that Akpoti has physically returned to her seat, the question turns to how Senate leadership and her political opponents will respond.

Will they advance a motion demanding a formal apology (a condition once floated as prerequisite for lifting her suspension)? Will they contest her attendance or attempt further procedural measures to block her from full participation?

Meanwhile, Akpoti’s reentry is being closely watched by civil society groups, women’s rights advocates, and political commentators who see it as a potential inflection point in the Senate’s handling of dissent, gender-based claims, and institutional accountability.