Politics
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Senate Reinstatement Sparks Legal Showdown
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Senate reinstatement blocked as lawmaker challenges Senate’s defiance of Federal High Court ruling on her unconstitutional suspension
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Senate reinstatement has sparked a constitutional crisis after the Kogi Central Senator was denied access to the Senate chambers on Tuesday.
Also read: Natasha Akpoti Trial Integrity Debate Sparks National Outcry Over Political Ethics
This follows a Federal High Court ruling on 4 July 2025, which declared her six-month suspension unlawful and ordered her immediate return to legislative duties.
The senator, who arrived at the National Assembly on 22 July to resume work, met a heavy presence of armed security at the entrance.
Her attempt to enter was blocked, despite two formal letters notifying the Senate of her planned return.
“It’s about me and a duly elected senator walking into the chambers to resume my constituted duties as I was elected and mandated by the good people of Kogi Central and INEC,” she told reporters.
The court’s decision, which invalidated her suspension, had been widely viewed as a reaffirmation of the rule of law. But Akpoti-Uduaghan criticised the Senate’s refusal to comply.
“The Senate, under the leadership of Akpabio, have decided to become lawbreakers,” she stated. “They denied entrance into the chambers to resume my team.”
She highlighted the constitutional implications, referencing Section 318 of the 1999 Constitution to define judicial decisions.
She explained that a “decision” included recommendations and other legal pronouncements, not only orders.
Backing her argument further, she cited Section 287, Subsection 3, which obliges all authorities in Nigeria to comply with decisions of competent courts.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also addressed the Senate’s legal response, showing reporters that the appeal was not from the institution itself.
“It is clear that it is not the National Assembly, nor is it the Senate. It’s [Senator Akpabio] himself,” she revealed, pointing out that Akpabio included the Senate and the Ethics Committee in his appeal.
This move, she said, exposes internal divisions within the legislative arm.
Observers say the confrontation raises urgent concerns about legislative independence, judicial compliance, and gender representation in Nigerian politics.
Also read: Agbakoba issues second ultimatum to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to retract “False” harassment claim against Akpabio
As the Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Senate reinstatement battle continues, legal and constitutional experts are watching closely.
News
Panic-stricken Enugu APC begins flag-off of already flagged of roads in Nsukka after PDP’s Chijioke Ugwu’s homecoming
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has flagged off the All Progressives Congress campaign in Agege Federal Constituency with a mega rally at Amoo Field, Orile Agege.
The rally, held on Wednesday, September 30, brought together APC leaders, party members, traditional and religious leaders, trade associations, artisans and representatives of different communities in the area.
Obasa, who is the APC candidate for the Agege Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, urged supporters to take the party’s campaign to homes, markets, artisan groups, places of worship and community associations ahead of the general election.
Addressing the gathering, he said the party should not be satisfied with a narrow victory but should seek to improve on its previous electoral performance.
“Let us join hands and make sure we deliver. It is not just about victory; we must surpass our previous votes. Sound it loud to everybody, all trade associations, artisans, tribes, religious and traditional leaders. We have the numbers, and we will pour it into the APC,” Obasa said.
He called on supporters to mobilise votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC governorship candidate in Lagos, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the Lagos West senatorial candidate, Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule, and himself in the Agege Federal Constituency.
Obasa said the campaign message should reach different sections of the constituency before election day, with supporters expected to engage residents and encourage them to participate in the electoral process.
He also described the turnout at the rally as an indication of support and cohesion within the party in Agege.
“Agege is always one. And we will continue to be one. There is nothing wrong with our party in Agege,” he said, while dismissing opposition voices and rumours about the party’s structure in the area.
The Speaker also urged party members and supporters to avoid conflict during the campaign, stressing that voters should be allowed to choose their preferred representatives.
“We must try to avoid conflict, because at the end of the day, the people will vote for their representatives, the people they truly want. Nobody can force anyone on the people,” he said.
Obasa’s remarks come as political parties intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the general election, with Agege remaining an important constituency in Lagos’s political landscape.
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