Why I Am Delaying My Return To Senate

Why I Am Delaying My Return To Senate – Senator Natasha .
She says her suspension sidelines Kogi Central and Nigerian women.
Akpoti insists she remains committed to legislative service.

Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has revealed why she has delayed her return to the National Assembly, despite a recent court judgment nullifying her suspension from legislative duties.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was expected to resume plenary on Tuesday, had earlier announced plans to rejoin her colleagues in the Senate, sparking a tense atmosphere at the National Assembly. Her anticipated return prompted heightened security presence around the complex, with several vehicles stopped and searched as tensions rose.

However, speaking during an interview on African Independent Television (AIT), the senator said she would not proceed with her resumption until she receives the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court ruling. She explained that her decision was informed by legal advice and her respect for due process.

“I believe in the judiciary. I’m not giving up,” she said, reiterating her faith in the justice system while expressing a cautious approach to ensure full compliance with legal procedures.

Addressing her time away from the chamber, Akpoti-Uduaghan defended her continued engagement with legislative initiatives and constituency activities. She disclosed that she had been working on several important bills, including one on gold regulation, and had plans to push legislation on lithium and red minerals.

“These are personal initiatives. I can’t just hand them over. By keeping me out of the chamber, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children adequate representation,” she lamented.

The lawmaker also highlighted the dwindling number of women in the Senate, noting, “We are only three female senators now, down from eight.”

Reaffirming her dedication to public service, she concluded, “I believe in the judiciary, I’m not giving up.”