Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday resumed at her National Assembly office, insisting she would not apologise to her colleagues as a condition for re-admission into the Senate.
The Kogi Central lawmaker, who arrived the premises around 1:09 p.m., described her suspension as “illegal” and vowed to resist any attempt to subject her to what she termed political humiliation.
Her return followed a leadership meeting on Monday where principal officers resolved to unseal her office, amid concerns that prolonging her suspension would further distract the Senate. Sources said senators were divided over her fate, with many favouring her return.
Addressing journalists, Akpoti-Uduaghan rejected claims that she must tender an apology. “You can’t apologise for an injustice,” she said. “The document that led to my illegal suspension was drafted by the Senate President’s office. It was riddled with fraud. If they expect an apology, they will not get it from me.”
She accused the Senate of attempting to treat her as “domestic staff” to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, a role she said she resisted. She also expressed gratitude to her husband, lawyers, opposition parties, women’s groups, the media, and her constituents for supporting her during the suspension saga.
Her arrival at the complex drew large crowds of supporters, prompting security operatives to tighten checks at the gates before eventually allowing them into the premises.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return comes a day after the Senate postponed its resumption of plenary from September 23 to October 7, following its annual recess which began July 24.
