Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan broke down in front of the National Assembly gates today, saying that her suspension is only one of many wrongs she has suffered.
According to Daily post, She was stopped from entering the assembly complex despite her intention to resume duties, as confirmed by her and by reporters on site.
She told journalists, “That outburst I had on the floor was just a combination of so many wrongs that Akpabio has meted against me.”
This comment refers to an earlier incident in the Senate where she spoke out about the treatment she received under Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s leadership.
She compared current governance unfavourably with past Senate presidents, saying, “It’s a shame that we have had so many good Senate Presidents like Chuba Okadigbo…, David Mark, Bukola Saraki…, and Ahmed Lawan… This is much the worst Assembly Nigeria has ever had.”Her emotional appeal at the gate reflected deep frustration with what she says is a pattern of silencing independent voices in the Senate.
She also noted that as she was prevented from entering the National Assembly, she felt her rights as an elected official had been violated.
Natasha is the suspended senator for Kogi Central and was nearly set to take part in Tuesday’s sitting before access was blocked.
Her suspension remains rooted in a controversy surrounding her earlier remarks and the ongoing power struggle in the Senate.
She said that Akpabio “runs the Nigerian Senate as if it’s a third term governor of Akwa Ibom,” implying that the Senate has been turned into a personal domain.
She added that lawmakers are “not allowed to speak,” claiming the Senate no longer accepts dissenting opinions.
She argued that when a senator tries to express concern about important issues, they “get shut down if it does not conform with what he wants.”
She described her experience as reflective of a Senate that discourages accountability and open discourse.
During the standoff, Natasha stood firm and answered reporters’ questions until security personnel asked her to leave the premises.
The standoff lasted for over an hour without turning into a confrontation, and she eventually left the site peacefully. Natasha has said she will continue to challenge decisions she believes are unfair or unjust, regardless of resistance.
