Video: Natasha initially denied entry into National Assembly, later gains access

Abdullateef Fowewe

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, was initially barred from entering the National Assembly premises in Abuja.

Video link: https://x.com/DailyEconews/status/1947639761071472984?t=txm1cM2U8Mk4PyZNaMUBHg&s=19

Video captured the tense moments of her being denied access, highlighting ongoing political friction between the senator and the Senate leadership.

However, after a brief standoff, Senator Akpoti eventually gained entry into the complex on foot, defying the initial restrictions imposed against her.

This episode occurs amid a protracted dispute following her six-month suspension by the Senate in March 2025 for allegedly violating chamber rules and refusing to adhere to seating arrangements.

The suspension included the withdrawal of her salary, security aides, and closure of her office, with a prohibition from entering National Assembly grounds during the suspension period.

Senator Akpoti has persistently challenged the legality of her suspension, taking her case to the Federal High Court, which ruled in July that the suspension was unconstitutional and ordered her reinstatement as a senator.

Nonetheless, the Senate has appealed the ruling, and the National Assembly’s legal team maintains that the court judgment does not compel immediate reinstatement, asserting the matter lies within the Senate’s internal jurisdiction.

Activist Aisha Yesufu publicly pledged to accompany and support Senator Akpoti in resuming her legislative duties, condemning the Senate’s refusal to respect the court’s decision, Dailyeconomy reports.

Yesufu described the suspension as unlawful and accused the Senate of acting with impunity, calling attention to systemic discrimination against women in Nigerian politics.