Security barred suspended Kogi lawmaker from entering NASS; ‘Akpabio not greater than Nigerian constitution,’_ Natasha kicks, threatens legal action

The suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on arrival at the National Assembly on Tuesday amid tight security presence was prevented by security operatives stationed at the gate of the National Assembly complex in Abuja from gaining access to the premises citing undisclosed instructions.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attempt to drive through the security gate of the complex manned by mobile police officers was halted, prompting her  to proceed on foot with her supporters.

Accompanied by some high profile individuals like activistS Aisha Yesufu, Randy, rights advocate Mama P and a crowd of supporters, Natasha walked towards the second gate of the legislative complex.

However, tensions rose when Yesufu confronted the officers, challenging the legitimacy of the order.

“National Assembly is meant to be for everyone. Why are you stopping us?” she asked.

“We are not abiding doesn’t mean we are cowards,” she added.

The situation escalated as some of Natasha’s supporters began chanting “Push!” and attempted to breach the gate.

The group later marched toward the complex, singing solidarity songs protesting the senator’s exclusion.

Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and a group of her supporters were reported to have left the National Assembly Complex after an unsuccessful attempt to gain entry.

Her presence has drawn attention within the National Assembly Complex with apprehensions following the controversies surrounding her return to the Senate.

And following this development, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan decried her denial of access to the National Assembly complex despite a valid court order nullifying her suspension, vowing to seek redress at the appellate court.

Senator Natasha, who was suspended by the Senate earlier this year for six months was at the National Assembly to resume legislative duties following a ruling by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which declared her suspension unconstitutional and ordered her immediate reinstatement.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the incident, Akpoti-Uduaghan condemned the action as a blatant disregard for the rule of law and accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of contempt.

“Akpabio cannot be greater than the Nigerian Constitution. I want Nigerians to know that the Office of the Senate President does not give me legitimacy. That legitimacy comes from the people of Kogi who elected me,” she said.

She argued that the Senate’s appeal of the court ruling did not invalidate the judgment or her constitutional right to resume her duties.

“The fact that an appeal has been filed does not set aside the subsisting judgment of Justice Binta Nyako. It does not stop me from being a senator,” she added.

Condemning the Senate’s action, she said, “This is a clear statement, it’s on record that the National Assembly under Akpabio has decided to defy a court order. It is ironic that lawmakers would lead in breaking the law. That raises serious questions about the health of our democracy.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan also described her initial suspension as legally flawed.

“Even the suspension ab initio was fraudulent—the document was faulty and the process questionable,” she claimed.

Regarding her next steps, the senator said she would consult with her legal team to pursue further action at the appellate level.

“I’m a law-abiding citizen. I will meet with my legal team and proceed to the appellate court for an interpretation of what just transpired,” she stated.

As at press time, the Senate leadership is yet to issue any official statement regarding the Tuesday’s incident though the upper chamber of the National Assembly had maintained, for the third time over the weekend that the ruling relied upon by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was merely advisory and at the discretion of the Senate.

Recall penultimate Tuesday, the suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, had notified relevant authorities of her scheduled resumption at the National Assembly, citing a judgment by the Federal High Court.

In a letter titled: “Notification of Resumption of Duty and Request for Restoration of Police Security and Protection”, the Senator referenced the judgment delivered in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/543/2024, which declared her suspension from the Senate as “excessive and ultra vires”.

The suspended Senator claims that ruling ordered her immediate recall to continue representing her Kogi Central constituents in the Senate, and maintained that she was set to comply by the ruling by resuming legislative functions on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

As part of her resumption process, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has formally requested the immediate reinstatement of her official police security detail, citing the heightened security risks often associated with high-profile political developments.

“In light of the security challenges that often accompany high-profile political matters and the need for adequate protection in the course of my official duties, I respectfully request the immediate restoration of my official security detail,” the Senator wrote.

She further attached a Certified True Copy of the court’s judgment for the relevant authority’s reference, drawing particular attention to Order 12 of the ruling.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, expressed appreciation for the prompt attention of the authorities and reaffirmed her commitment to the rule of law and effective representation of her constituents.