Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
After serving a six-month suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan made a bold return to the National Assembly on Tuesday, insisting she owes no apology to the Senate.
The senator representing Kogi Central gained access to her office in the National Assembly Complex and addressed journalists shortly after, declaring that her suspension was unjust and that she would not be coerced into offering an apology.
“I read in the papers that the leadership held a meeting yesterday, and that upon resumption on October 7, the Minority Leader, Sen. Abba Moro, would present a motion asking me to apologise,” she said.
“But I am actually worried about what kind of apology they expect. You can’t apologise for an injustice.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized that any attempt to impose conditions on her return while a related case is still before the court would be unlawful.
“I am still waiting for the official letter because it’s important to understand any conditions they might set—albeit illegally,” she noted.
Describing the Senate’s actions as “one illegality upon another,” the senator said she found it troubling that such measures were being normalized.
“It is appalling that such a level of illegality exists. If they’re expecting me to apologise, I’m sorry—I don’t have those words,” she asserted.
Despite the challenges, Akpoti-Uduaghan encouraged Nigerians to remain hopeful and committed to the democratic process.
“Let Nigerians know that the future is bright—we just can’t give up our hope,” she said. “Our democracy is evolving, and as we approach 2027, I believe we can take meaningful actions because, patriotically, we have a country to save.”
