Natasha Fails to Show Up in National Assembly

There was heightened anticipation at the National Assembly on Tuesday that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan would return to plenary, following a Federal High Court judgment which described her six-month suspension by the Senate as excessive.

In a video that circulated online, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had told her supporters she would resume plenary in compliance with the court’s ruling, prompting expectations of her appearance.

Justice Nyako, who delivered the ruling, faulted the provision in Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, declaring both as overreaching. 

The judge argued that since lawmakers are required to sit for a total of 181 days in a legislative year, the six-month suspension effectively deprived the senator’s constituents of representation for nearly the entire period.

However, despite the buzz, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent from the chamber throughout Tuesday’s plenary proceedings.

Contrary to speculation, there was no unusual security build-up at the National Assembly in anticipation of her appearance. 

Security operations and vehicular movement remained normal