{"id":120885,"date":"2025-07-22T16:01:44","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T15:01:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=120885"},"modified":"2025-07-22T16:01:44","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T15:01:44","slug":"drama-at-national-assembly-as-senator-natasha-forces-way-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/exclusive\/drama-at-national-assembly-as-senator-natasha-forces-way-in\/","title":{"rendered":"Drama at National Assembly as Senator Natasha Forces Way In"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Lizzy Chirkpi<\/div>\n
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\n
<\/div>\n
The Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Tuesday stormed the National Assembly complex, insisting on resuming plenary duties despite an unresolved legal standoff with Senate leadership.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Her arrival came amid a heavy security presence at all gates to the parliamentary buildings. Armed personnel, including members of the Mobile Police (MOPOL) unit manned strategic entry points, heightening tensions within the complex.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was accompanied by prominent activist, Aisha Yesufu and members of various human rights groups, was initially delayed at the Mopol Gate and the inner security post. Following a brief altercation with security agents and the Sergeant-at-Arms, she was allowed to proceed toward the second gate on foot.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Efforts were ongoing to gain access through the final gate as her presence continued to draw attention and fuel a growing sense of unease within the National Assembly premises.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The lawmaker\u2019s defiance followed her televised declaration earlier in the day that she would resume plenary on Tuesday, July 22, in line with a court ruling which declared her suspension illegal\u2014despite an appeal filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cI have pretty much two more months before the six months expire. However, I have written to the Senate again telling them that I\u2019m resuming on the 22nd, which is on Tuesday, by the special grace of God. I will be there because the court did make the decision on that,\u201d she said in an interview while in her constituency over the weekend.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cThey argue that it\u2019s an order, it\u2019s not an order, but it is a decision,\u201d she added.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 over allegations of misconduct\u2014a move her legal team promptly challenged. While a court has ruled the suspension illegal, the Senate has since filed an appeal, arguing the decision is not binding pending resolution.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Despite the ongoing legal dispute, Natasha maintains that her suspension, though limiting her ability to perform legislative functions such as sponsoring bills and motions, has not deterred her from fulfilling her representation duties.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cI did mention that every senator has three major functions: legislative, which is the creation of laws and review of treaties; oversight, which is to oversee ministeries and agencies; and then representation, which I\u2019m doing.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
“I can identify the problems and the challenges of my community, and I make sure I present them and have them captured in the federal budget. And I have done pretty well with that. Of course, I do miss putting up my bills there, but it didn\u2019t stop me from working,\u201d she stated.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
As the Senate maintains that she remains suspended, Natasha’s physical return to the Red Chamber may trigger a constitutional test\u2014and possibly a dramatic confrontation on the floor.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
More details to follow\u2026<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Lizzy Chirkpi The Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Tuesday stormed the National Assembly complex, insisting on resuming plenary duties despite an unresolved legal standoff with Senate…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":120886,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-120885","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive"],"yoast_head":"\nDrama at National Assembly as Senator Natasha Forces Way In - Pointblank News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/exclusive\/drama-at-national-assembly-as-senator-natasha-forces-way-in\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Drama at National Assembly as Senator Natasha Forces Way In - 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