Security operatives barred suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, from gaining access to the National Assembly premises on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
Natasha arrived at the gate with activist Aisha Yesufu, rights advocate Mama P, activist Randy, and a swarm of supporters but was denied access by security personnel.
Yesufu confronted the officers stationed at the gate, attempting to intervene and challenging the alleged order to prevent Natasha’s entry.
“National Assembly is meant to be for everyone. Why are you stopping us?
“We are not abiding doesn’t mean we are cowards,” she said.
The stalemate gradually escalated, with some fans yelling “Push!” and attempting to force their way in.
Natasha’s supporters were later seen moving towards the complex while screaming solidarity songs.
The politician, who was suspended in March, claimed that while the suspension did not prevent her from delivering projects to her constituents, it did limit her capacity to do crucial legislative duties such as introducing 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.
Natasha was suspended for alleged wrongdoing, a decision that her legal team disputed in court.
A recent verdict found the suspension unconstitutional, but the Senate has already launched an appeal, which the senator claims will not prevent her resuming.
