A well-known activist, Aisha Yesufu, has promised to support Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Natasha wants to return to her job at the National Assembly on Tuesday. However, the Senate is not happy about this and has warned her not to resume yet.
Aisha Yesufu spoke on Sunrise Daily. She said she and others will go with Natasha to the National Assembly because a court has ruled that Natasha can return. Aisha said, “Senator Natasha has the right to resume. I will go with her, and if the Senate wants to harm us, they can try.”
Aisha also complained about how women are treated in Nigerian politics. Out of 109 senators, only four are women. She said Natasha is being punished for being honest and doing her job. Aisha called the suspension illegal and unfair.
She added that the Senate should not stop Natasha because the people of Kogi Central voted for her. Aisha also criticized the court for being slow to enforce its own ruling. She said the judiciary is allowing politics to interfere with justice.
Court Ruling and Senate Warning
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 after a dispute during a Senate meeting and accusations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She told her supporters in Ihima, Kogi State, that she will return to work on July 22. Natasha said she has been working for her community, but her suspension has stopped her from making new laws or joining discussions in the Senate.
In July, Justice Binta Nyako ruled that Natasha’s suspension was unlawful and ordered her reinstatement. But the Senate President has appealed the ruling, saying the court should not interfere with Senate matters.
Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu said the court did not give a direct order to bring Natasha back. He warned her not to force her way into the Senate.
Adaramodu said, “The Senate has no order from the court telling us to bring Natasha back before her suspension ends.” He explained that the court only advised the Senate to review the suspension and did not say it must be canceled.
Senate’s Position
The Senate also said that Natasha has not followed other court orders, like paying a ₦5 million fine to the government and apologizing in national newspapers and on Facebook. Adaramodu warned that if Natasha tries to return on Tuesday, it will cause problems and break the Senate’s rules.
The Senate said it will look into the court’s advice later and will inform Natasha when they makes a decision. Until then, she has been told to stay away.
Conclusion
The fight between Natasha Akpoti and the Senate is about fairness, law, and the rights of women in politics. Aisha Yesufu and many others believe Natasha is being unfairly treated. The coming days will show if Natasha will be allowed to return.
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