Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District has opened up after she was denied access to the Senate Chamber on Tuesday, July 22.
The lawmaker while speaking to journalists at the National Assembly Complex said she was disappointed not just because of the access denial but the fact because the Senate leadership have resorted to using the instrument of Force in preventing her from resuming her duty.
She said on arrival at the National Assembly complex with her supporters, she noticed that there was heightened security deployed to the area.
Akpoti-Uduaghan who successfully passed the first and second gate of the National Assembly on foot said she had duly notified the Senate of her plans to resume her duties at the Red Chamber.
Her words, “In simple terms, it’s not about beating the first and second gates and barricades, it’s about me, 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.
“It’s unfortunate that we got in today which is 22nd July 2025, having duly notified the senate through two letters that I will be resuming functions today.
“As a matter of fact, I am disappointed on two grounds, one is the number of armed police men that we met outside, all well kitted with guns charged at a female Senator who is unarmed with her people here – patriotic Nigerians.
“And the second is the fact that the Senate under the leadership of Godswill Akpabio has decided to become lawbreakers by denying me entrance into the chamber to resume my duty,” the lawmaker said.
She also berated Akpabio and his team of colleagues for making efforts to twist the narratives concerning the decision of the court in her suspension and reinstatement.
“You see pursuant to section 318 of the Nigerian Constitution, it is very clear that decisions of a court come in five ways; it could be a judicial decree, it could be a sentence, it could be an order, it could be a conviction or a recommendation.
“An order is just one of the five decisions that a judge can pronounce over any case and mine tilts towards a recommendation.
“Now you may think that a recommendation is voluntary, that means the Senate can either comply or they have the right not to comply but I would like to clarify that,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said.
Citing Section 287 subsection 3 of the constitution, the lawmaker stated that any of the five decisions made by the court is binding.