From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday resumed plenary after the expiration of the six-month suspension imposed on her by the Senate on March 6, 2025.

The Senate had suspended her over what it described as unparliamentary behaviour and breach of Senate rules following a series of altercations with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, after her seat position was changed.

Clad in a white outfit, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took her reassigned seat quietly before the commencement of plenary. Several colleagues approached her to exchange pleasantries as she settled in.

There was, however, no motion raised to formally readmit her to the chamber, nor any confrontation with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who entered through the back entrance moments after the leadership procession had gone in through the main door. Akpabio later took over proceedings from Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who had begun the session.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s resumption came amid tight security and heightened expectations following her controversial suspension. The lawmaker had on September 23 resumed duties at her office in the National Assembly complex which had been sealed since July.

Speaking to journalists then, Akpoti-Uduaghan had vowed that if she is requested to apologise to the Senate as a condition for her admittance to the chamber, she would decline.

She said, “I read somewhere that a leadership meeting was held yesterday, and the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, would on October 7 read a motion calling on me to apologise. I am actually worried as to what apology they expect from me. You can’t apologise for an injustice.”

But nothing of that sort came up during the plenary session.