By El-Ameen Ibrahim, Abuja
In a dramatic turn of events at the National Assembly, the office of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), located in suite 2.05 of the Senate wing, has been officially unsealed by the Sergeant-at-Arms in conjunction with combined personnel of security agencies.
The development effectively grants the suspended Senator renewed access to her office and the National Assembly premises.
Senator Natasha was suspended for six months by the Senate over alleged breaches of its standing rules.
But the decision has stirred widespread controversy and condemnation from civil society and labour leaders.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had described the suspension as “unfair, undemocratic, and a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.”
Similarly, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, faulted the Senate’s action and joined the call for her immediate reinstatement.
The matter escalated into a legal tussle after a court ruled that the suspension was excessive. Yet, the Senate maintained its position, insisting that Akpoti-Uduaghan could not resume her legislative duties without a fresh resolution or a definitive court order.
With her office now unsealed, the Kogi lawmaker has regained physical access to the National Assembly premises, a move seen by many as paving the way for her possible full return to legislative business.
Nonetheless, the final outcome of her suspension battle remains tied to ongoing court proceedings.
Incidentally, her legal team has argued consistently that she is not a flight risk and must be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The unsealing of her office is now being read in political circles as a climbdown by the Senate, raising expectations that the embattled Senator may soon reclaim her full mandate on the floor of the red chamber.
