Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday applauded her constituents in Kogi Central for their steadfast support during what she described as a period of “unscrupulous intimidation.”
The lawmakers gave the commendation in a statement issued to journalists after she attended her first plenary session in six months.
The statement read, “My attendance at plenary today is a testament of resilience by the good people of Kogi Central and Nigerians, especially their courage to resist every unscrupulous intimidation.
“While averting Hon. Rifkatu Danna’s dilemma, our victory is the people’s and God’s.
“I recommit myself to continued service to my constituents and country while trusting the courts to be fair and swift in adjudicating the matters before them.”
Natasha’s return marked the end of a bitter standoff that began on March 6, 2025, when she was suspended for alleged misconduct after protesting what she called an “unjust reassignment” of her Senate seat by President Godswill Akpabio.
The Kogi lawmaker insisted she had “no apology to tender.”
Her office, which had been sealed for months, was only reopened two weeks ago by the Sergeant-at-Arms following persistent pressure from her legal team, which argued that she had fulfilled her entire six-month suspension and could not be banned from returning to plenary responsibilities.
The Senate, which returned on Tuesday following a two-week extension of its annual holiday, faced public scrutiny over whether Natasha would be allowed back on the floor.
Though attempts to contact Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu and the Senate President’s media aide for comment were fruitless at the time of filing this report.
