Socio-political activist Aisha Yesufu has pledged unwavering support for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is determined to resume her legislative duties on Tuesday despite resistance from the Senate.
Speaking on Monday, Yesufu said she would personally accompany the Kogi Central senator to the National Assembly, insisting that Akpoti-Uduaghan had every legal right to return to office following a Federal High Court ruling in her favour.
“I believe Senator Natasha has every right to resume office, and she won’t be going alone. Many of us will accompany her, and I’ll be one of them. We’ll stand by her — and if the Senate chooses to kill us, so be it,” she said during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
Yesufu condemned what she described as systemic discrimination against women in Nigerian politics, highlighting that only four of the 109 senators are women.
“Out of 109 senators, we have only four women. Yet you go after them — especially this particular lady who has simply done her job. Enough of treating women like second-class citizens in this country,” she said.
She described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension as unconstitutional and criticised the Senate for ignoring a valid court judgement that nullified the disciplinary action.
“The suspension is unlawful. It should never have happened — especially not from an institution meant to uphold the constitution. The court didn’t bar her from resuming. Her constituents elected her, not the Senate, and they deserve representation,” Yesufu added.
She further accused the Senate of disregarding court orders and criticised the judiciary for succumbing to political pressure.
“There was a ruling telling them to halt the suspension process, yet they disobeyed. The Senate is showing Nigerians that it can ignore the courts with impunity. The judiciary, which should be the last hope of the common man, is now dancing to the tune of corrupt politicians,” she stated.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has remained firm in her decision to return to the Red Chamber on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. Speaking from her hometown of Ihima, Kogi State, on Saturday, she said she had formally notified the Senate of her intention to resume.
“I have just about two months left before the six-month suspension ends. I’ve written again to the Senate, informing them that I’ll be resuming on the 22nd, by God’s grace,” she said. “The court made a decision — they may say it’s not an order, but it is still a decision.”
Although she has remained active in her constituency through empowerment projects, Akpoti-Uduaghan noted that her suspension has hampered her ability to sponsor bills and engage in legislative debates.
On July 13, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the senator’s suspension was unconstitutional and directed the Senate to reinstate her. However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has appealed the judgement, arguing it intrudes on parliamentary matters and exceeds the court’s jurisdiction, citing Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution.
On Sunday, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu reiterated that Akpoti-Uduaghan must stay away from proceedings, maintaining that no binding court order compels her reinstatement before the suspension officially lapses.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, for allegedly breaching Senate rules during a dispute over seating arrangements and for accusing Senate President Akpabio of sexual misconduct — an allegation he has denied.
