Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of abusing his office, described the current Senate under Akpabio as the “worst in Nigeria’s history.”

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has expressed deep disappointment over the deployment of fully armed security operatives by the Senate leadership to block her from accessing the National Assembly complex and resume her constitutional duties on Tuesday.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of abusing his office, described the current Senate under Akpabio as the “worst in Nigeria’s history.”

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the senator, who was suspended for six months over alleged misconduct after accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment—and who recently secured a Federal High Court order for her reinstatement—was blocked from entering the National Assembly complex by armed security operatives.

She arrived at the premises but was denied access to the complex by armed security operatives who failed to provide any explanation except that they had an order to stop her from entering. Her supporters were seen arguing with the police and other security personnel at the entrance.

Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that a heavy security presence was at the National Assembly ahead of her plan to resume.

Several vehicles were stationed at strategic points near the National Assembly gate, with armed security personnel manning various posts within the complex.

Officers deployed at the gate included personnel from the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Despite a recent court judgment declaring her suspension unconstitutional, the Nigerian Senate insisted that there would be no going back on the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The embattled senator was suspended in March 2025.

Addressing journalists at the entrance of the National Assembly, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed disappointment over the actions of the Senate leadership and the presence of heavily armed security operatives who, according to her, “charged at a female senator who is unarmed with her people.”

“It’s quite unfortunate that we got to the National Assembly complex today, having duly notified the Senate about my resumption of legislative duty, and were denied access,” she said.

She added, “As a matter of fact, I’m disappointed on two grounds. One is the number of armed policemen outside, who were all kitted with guns, charged at a female senator who is unarmed with her people (Nigerians).

“The second thing is that the Senate, under the leadership of Akpabio, has decided to become lawbreakers by denying me entrance into the chamber to resume my duties.”

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan further clarified that, although the Senate as an institution had not appealed the court ruling ordering her reinstatement, Senate President Akpabio had done so individually.

“Akpabio cannot be greater than the Constitution, and I want Nigerians to know that the office of the Senate President doesn’t give me my legislative duties,” she said.

“The fact that he has gone to appeal himself against the decision of Justice Binta Nyako doesn’t deprive me of my rights as a senator. I was duly elected by my people (Kogi Central).”

On the current 10th Senate under Akpabio’s leadership, she said, “It’s a shame that we have so many good Senate Presidents in the past but the Senate under Akpabio is the worst assembly Nigeria has ever had.”

As of the time of this report, the Senate leadership has not issued an official statement as to the reason Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was denied entry to the Senate complex.