Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has turned her dramatic return to the Senate into a searing critique of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, warning that unchecked power and ‘illegalities’ at the heart of governance threaten the country’s stability.
Storming the National Assembly on Monday to reclaim her unsealed office, Akpoti-Uduaghan declared that her six-month suspension was not just a personal affront but a test of whether Nigeria’s democracy can withstand abuse of power.
“Sometimes it’s good to put the institutions to the test—we can’t cower in the face of injustice,” she told journalists. “No one is more Nigerian than us. Senator Akpabio is not more of a senator than I am, yet he treated me as if I was his servant. That’s dictatorship, and it’s totally unacceptable.”
The lawmaker revealed she had yet to receive formal communication about the terms of her reinstatement but said reports suggesting she must apologize were deeply troubling.
“You can’t apologize for an injustice,” she said. “The document that pronounced my suspension was laced with fraud—it was drafted by the Senate President’s office, and even the endorsements were improperly handled. This is just one illegality upon another, and Nigerians should reject it.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan described the ordeal as part of a pattern of political intimidation: road blockades, online smear campaigns, and threats that, she said, tested her resolve and that of her supporters.
“We survived the recall attempt, the blackmail, and the roadblocks,” she said. “To God be the glory, and my deepest appreciation to the people of Kogi Central, my family, and Nigerians who stood for truth.”
She praised civil society groups, the Nigerian Bar Association, labour unions, and media outlets for amplifying her case, insisting their pressure forced the Senate leadership’s hand.
“That pressure showed that the will of the people is stronger than political bullying,” she noted. “It proves that institutions only work when citizens hold them accountable.”
Political analysts say her fiery return could ignite a broader conversation about legislative transparency and separation of powers. Akpoti-Uduaghan urged Nigerians not to lose faith but to remain vigilant.
“Our democracy is evolving,” she said. “Heading into 2027, we must act patriotically to save this country. Institutions must be tested—otherwise, impunity becomes the law.”
Her words underscored a growing national debate: whether Nigeria’s democratic institutions can withstand the weight of personal ambition and political manipulation—or whether, without constant testing, they will buckle under it.