Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan office reinstatement at National Assembly praised by opposition as a triumph over political intimidation under Tinubu administration
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan office reinstatement at the National Assembly on Tuesday sparked celebrations among her supporters and drew significant attention from opposition leaders, who described the development as a win for democracy.
Also read: Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan slams Senate ‘dictator’ Akpabio
The Senator for Kogi Central regained access to her office in Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing, officially reopened by Alabi Adedeji, Deputy Director of the Sergeant-at-Arms.
Though the Senate is currently on recess until 7 October 2025, the reinstatement has triggered widespread reactions.
Prominent opposition figure and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar took to his social media platform X to commend the move, calling it a “triumph for democratic struggle.”
“It is reassuring that the voice of reason has prevailed at last with the unsealing of the office of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Though the precious time denied the people of Kogi Central in the Senate can never be reclaimed, this struggle has not been in vain,” Atiku said.
He framed the suspension and reinstatement of Akpoti-Uduaghan within a larger pattern of political intimidation under the Bola Tinubu administration, citing similar crises such as that in Rivers State involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“These are deliberate markers of the Tinubu administration’s strategy as 2027 approaches: to subvert our hard-earned democracy and compromise the will of the people at any cost,” he warned.
Atiku further pledged that the opposition will “do everything legitimate and within the bounds of the law” to safeguard democracy and the sovereignty of the people’s mandate.
Earlier in the day, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan attended proceedings at the FCT High Court, where she faces a defamation case filed by the Federal Government, before proceeding to reclaim her office at the National Assembly.
Her return was met with jubilant songs and cheers from supporters.
Also read: Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan office unsealed after suspension
The episode underscores ongoing political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections and highlights the challenges faced by opposition figures in Nigeria’s evolving democratic landscape.
