Prominent activist Aisha Yesufu has pledged to accompany Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the National Assembly today, showing support for the embattled lawmaker who insists on resuming her duties despite opposition from Senate leadership.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s move follows a July ruling by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which declared her six-month suspension unconstitutional and called for her reinstatement. However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s legal team has appealed the decision, arguing that it infringes on parliamentary independence.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Yesufu criticised the Senate for what she described as open disregard for judicial authority.
“Senator Natasha has every right to resume office, and by tomorrow, she is not going to resume alone. There are people who are going to go with her, and I’ll be one of them,” Yesufu said. “We’ll be with her and stand with her. And if the Senate decides they are going to kill us, let them kill us.”
She also condemned what she called systemic discrimination against women in Nigerian politics, pointing out that only four of the country’s 109 senators are women.
“Yes, we’re not even one-third, yet you go after them going after this particular lady who has done nothing other than carry out her duties properly. Enough of us being treated like second-class citizens,” she said.
Yesufu described the suspension as unlawful and accused the Senate of acting with impunity. She also criticised the judiciary for what she believes is growing submission to political influence, saying: “The Senate is sending a message that it can disregard court rulings. The judiciary, which should be the last hope of the common man, now looks at the body language of those dictating what should be written.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended on 6 March 2025 after a heated altercation over seating arrangements and accusations of sexual misconduct against Senate President Akpabio — allegations he denies — has vowed to return to the chamber.
“I’ve written to the Senate, telling them I’m resuming on the 22nd, by the special grace of God. I will be there because the court made a decision on that,” she said in her hometown of Ihima, Kogi State.
Despite the court ruling, the Senate has maintained that Akpoti-Uduaghan must remain suspended until the six-month period lapses, insisting there is no binding order requiring her immediate reinstatement.