By Olatunbosun Obafemi
The National Assembly has reopened the office of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, signaling the possible return of the Kogi Central lawmaker to the Senate chamber when plenary resumes on October 7.
The office, located in Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing, was formally unsealed on Tuesday by the Deputy Director of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji. “To unseal Senator Natasha Akpoti’s office, I, Alabi Adedeji, Deputy Director, Sergeant-at-Arms, hereby unseal the office,” he declared before unlocking the door that had remained closed for six months.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended earlier this year for alleged violations of the Senate’s standing rules, following a recommendation by the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions. The suspension, which lasted six months, deprived her of salaries, aides, and access to her office. It was widely criticised by civil society groups and opposition figures, who described it as a clampdown on dissent.
Although she challenged the suspension in court and attempted to resume sitting in July, the Senate leadership maintained that her case must be settled judicially before she could return. The lawmaker, however, has now completed her suspension period and written to the Senate to declare her readiness to resume duties.
Critics argue that the Senate has applied double standards. Constitutional lawyer Mike Jacobs, commenting on the matter, accused the chamber of frustrating the judicial process while simultaneously delaying Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return. “You cannot blow hot and cold at the same time. Six months should be six months, no discussion, no hesitation,” he said, adding that the Senate had relied on technical objections to stall proceedings instead of addressing the substantive issues in court.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly has adjusted its legislative calendar, postponing plenary sessions from September 23 to October 7. In a memo signed by Clerk Kamoru Ogunlana, lawmakers were asked to take note of the new date while committee activities continue. “Any inconvenience caused by this rescheduling is deeply regretted,” the memo stated.
The delay comes as the House of Representatives intensifies work on constitutional reform. Speaker Abbas Tajudeen assured Nigerians on Monday that the chamber would expedite the long-awaited constitutional amendment process. Speaking at a National Public Hearing in Abuja, Abbas said the 10th Assembly was determined to succeed where past attempts had failed.
“As Speaker, I pledge that we will take your contributions seriously and consider the bills with diligence, fairness, and urgency,” he told participants. He also promised to engage state assemblies respectfully to secure concurrence and emphasised that the reforms would touch all sectors of national life.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who chairs the House Committee on Constitutional Amendment, echoed the commitment, describing the exercise as inclusive and people-driven.
With Akpoti-Uduaghan’s office reopened and plenary set to resume in two weeks, attention is now shifting back to the Red Chamber, where questions remain over whether the suspended senator will be allowed to reclaim her seat without further delay.
