Strong indications emerged on Tuesday that the protracted rift between embattled Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Kogi Central, and the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, is nearing resolution as the Senate has officially unsealed her office.
The Sergeant-at-Arms of the National Assembly, supported by security personnel, on Tuesday unlocked Room 205 of the Senate wing, granting the suspended lawmaker access to her office and the National Assembly premises. This development paves the way for Akpoti-Uduaghan to fully resume her legislative duties when the Senate reconvenes on October 7, 2025.
According to a source familiar with the matter, the decision to reopen the office was reached during a Senate leadership meeting on Monday. It was further revealed that at the next plenary session, the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro of Benue South, is expected to move a motion requiring Akpoti-Uduaghan to tender an apology before her reinstatement is formally ratified.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, formerly Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, was slammed with a six-month suspension in March 2025 for alleged misconduct following her protest against the reassignment of her seat by the Senate President on February 20, 2025. Although her suspension technically expired in September, continued legal and leadership disputes had prevented her from resuming legislative activities until now.
The unsealing of her office is widely viewed as a significant step towards reconciliation within the 10th Senate and a signal that the lawmaker is set to return to active parliamentary duties after months of political tension.
