Akpbio absent as Natasha Akpoti returns to Senate after 6-month suspension

Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has returned to Senate after a 6-month suspension.

Natasa’s return coincided with the Senate’s resumption after a 10-week recess.

Recall that the upper legislative chamber had, on July 24, 2025, adjourned plenary to proceed on its annual recess and resume on September 23, 2025.

Senate resumed plenary on Tuesday with Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin presiding over the session.

Natasha, who is returning after a six-month suspension, was conspicuously present, while Senate President Godswill Akpabio was absent at the time of resumption.

The legislator was accompanied to the senate by a handful of activists and loyalists, including Aisha Yesufu, who was spotted in the gallery.

Some of the lawmaker’s supporters were, however, not allowed into the Senate gallery.

Her return follows a court’s description of her six-month suspension as excessive.

The Senate had earlier unsealed her office to pave the way for her return, days after the national assembly insisted that she remained suspended, citing ongoing litigation.

Her resumption comes amid longstanding controversy over her allegation of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

During her suspension, imposed on March 6, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan was not allowed access to her office, with her security detail and allowances withdrawn.