Unease calm Tuesday envelops the ambience of the Nigeria’s National Assembly complex with heightened security as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived to resume her legislative duties, despite warnings from Senate authorities not to return.
Supporters of the Kogi Central senator gathered at the entrance of the complex to welcome her, while security operatives carried out thorough vehicle searches and restricted visitors to the outer car park. At least five police patrol vans were stationed at strategic points around the gate.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended in March, said her return was based on a court decision. Speaking at a constituency training programme over the weekend, she insisted: “I will be there, because the court did make the decision on that. Now, they argue that it’s an order, it’s not an order, but it is a decision.”
Her lawyer, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, West Idahosa, also maintained that the ruling justified her resumption. “Let me be honest with you. Attendance is a legislative action,” he said. “As far as we are concerned, we are focused on the appeal and other issues before the court.”
While the senator noted that her suspension had not hindered her ability to execute constituency projects, she admitted it had curtailed her legislative functions, including sponsoring bills and moving motions.
The Senate leadership, however, remains locked in a standoff with Akpoti-Uduaghan, arguing that the appeal against the judgment she relies upon has yet to be determined. The security build-up on Tuesday underscored the tension over whether she would ultimately be allowed back into the chamber.
