Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has praised the opening of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s office, describing it as evidence that “the voice of reason has prevailed.”
Natasha, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended from the Senate for six months in March.
On Tuesday, she regained access to her National Assembly office, with supporters celebrating as she entered Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing, which had been opened by Alabi Adedeji, Deputy Director of the Sergeant-at-Arms.
Although the Senate is now in recess and will not reconvene until October 7, 2025, the announcement elicited strong emotions, particularly from opposition leaders.
In a statement made on his X (Twitter), Atiku stated that Natasha’s restoration is a victory for the democratic fight.
“It is reassuring that the voice of reason has prevailed at last with the unsealing of the office of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Though the precious time denied the people of Kogi Central in the Senate can never be reclaimed, this struggle has not been in vain. It has proven, once again, that when we stand together, we can triumph over tyranny,” Atiku wrote.
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The former vice president accused the Bola Tinubu administration of political intimidation, including Natasha’s suspension, the crisis in Rivers State involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara and state lawmakers, and the use of state institutions to silence opposition voices.
“These are not isolated acts. They are deliberate markers of the Tinubu administration’s strategy as 2027 approaches: to subvert our hard-earned democracy and compromise the will of the people at any cost,” Atiku warned.
Furthermore, he pledged that the opposition would resist such tendencies. “On our part, we shall do everything legitimate and within the bounds of the law to protect our democracy, defend the sovereignty of the people’s mandate, and rescue our nation from the grip of authoritarianism.”
Earlier, Natasha had appeared at the FCT High Court in a case of alleged defamation filed against her by the Federal Government before proceeding to the National Assembly, where her return to her office was marked by songs and jubilation from her supporters.
