The Nigerian Senate is now entangled in fresh drama following a legal twist involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension. A recent appeal filed at the Court of Appeal in Abuja is stirring debate—not just in the courtroom, but within the Senate itself.
This move comes after Justice B.F.M. Nyako of the Federal High Court declared the six-month suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan unlawful. The judgment, delivered on July 4, 2025, ruled that the action violated her rights and left the people of Kogi Central without proper representation.
In response, a cross-appeal was lodged on July 24, 2025, by a team of lawyers including Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN) and Paul Babatunde Daudu (SAN), among others. They argued that the case should have been dismissed on procedural grounds—citing the absence of a pre-action notice required by law.
But here’s where it gets messier.
A senator, who chose to remain unnamed, claims this legal response didn’t have the backing of the Senate. According to the source, Senate President Godswill Akpabio allegedly took matters into his own hands, instructing the Clerk to proceed without Senate consensus or a formal resolution.
The ripple effects were felt almost immediately. Tensions reportedly flared during a private session, with Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele confronting Akpabio over what he described as a pattern of unilateral decision-making. According to insiders, Bamidele didn’t mince words and even hinted at stepping down if things don’t change.
Beyond internal politics, concerns are growing about how all of this is playing out in the public eye. The ongoing feud, now dragged into the courts and Senate chambers alike, risks deepening mistrust in an already divided political arena.
