Prominent activist Aisha Yesufu has pledged to accompany Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the National Assembly today, expressing solidarity with the embattled Kogi Central lawmaker amid continued resistance from the Senate regarding her reinstatement.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is pushing to resume her legislative duties following a Federal High Court ruling in July by Justice Binta Nyako, which declared her March suspension unconstitutional and called for her reinstatement.
However, the Senate President’s legal team has appealed the verdict, arguing it exceeds the court’s jurisdiction.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Yesufu condemned the Senate’s refusal to honor the court’s decision.
“Senator Natasha has every right to resume office, and tomorrow, she will not be alone.
We will stand with her even if the Senate decides to kill us,” Yesufu stated.
She also criticized the gender imbalance in Nigerian politics, highlighting the Senate’s treatment of Akpoti-Uduaghan as emblematic of wider systemic discrimination.
“Only four out of 109 senators are women. And yet, one of them is being targeted for simply doing her job,” she said.
Yesufu called the Senate’s actions unlawful, accusing it of impunity and undermining democracy.
“The court ruled the suspension unconstitutional. The Senate didn’t elect Natasha her constituents did. You can’t deny them representation.”
She further expressed concern over judicial independence, accusing the judiciary of yielding to political pressure.
“The courts are beginning to act based on the body language of politicians. That’s dangerous for our democracy,” she warned.
Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan remains undeterred. Speaking from her hometown in Ihima, Kogi State, she confirmed her return to the chamber today.
“I’ve notified the Senate that I will resume on July 22. The court’s decision stands, whether they call it an order or not.”
The senator was suspended on March 6, 2025, following a contentious exchange involving seat allocations and accusations of sexual misconduct against Senate President Godswill Akpabio allegations he has denied.
Despite the court’s ruling, the Senate on Sunday reaffirmed its stance that Akpoti-Uduaghan must stay suspended until the six-month period lapses, citing no binding legal order compelling her immediate return.
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