‎There was drama at the entrance of the National Assembly complex in Abuja on Tuesday as security operatives barred suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, from gaining access to the premises.

‎The senator arrived at the gate accompanied by activist Aisha Yesufu, rights advocate Mama P, activist Randy, and a crowd of supporters, but was denied entry by security officials.

‎Yesufu, in a bid to intervene, confronted the officers stationed at the gate and challenged the order allegedly issued to block Natasha’s entry.

‎“National Assembly is meant to be for everyone. Why are you stopping us?

‎“We are not abiding doesn’t mean we are cowards,” she said.

‎The standoff quickly escalated as some supporters began chanting “Push!” while attempting to force their way in.

‎Natasha’s supporters were later seen marching toward the complex.

‎Speaking to journalists after being denied access to the Senate chambers, Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed deep frustration with the Senate leadership, especially given a recent court ruling in her favour.

‎She said, ”It’s about me, a duly elected senator walking into the chambers to resume my constitutional duties.

‎“I had duly notified the Senate through two letters that I would be resuming functions today, July 22nd, 2025.”

‎The senator raised two major concerns: the heavy police presence and the Senate’s alleged defiance of a court order.

‎“The number of armed policemen we met outside, all well-kitted with guns, charging at an unarmed female senator, was shocking.

‎“We have people here, attractive Nigerians, who witnessed this.

‎“The second thing is the fact that the Senate, under its leadership, has decided to become lawbreakers by denying my entrance into the chambers to resume my duties,” she said.

‎Akpoti-Uduaghan also addressed what she called a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the court’s ruling in the media.

‎She said, ”There’s been some conversations in the media by their own team trying to twist a narrative that the judge did not order my reinstatement, and I’d like to clarify that.

‎“If you look at Section 318 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, it’s very clear that decisions of a court come in five ways: a judicial decree, a sentence, an order, a conviction, and a recommendation.”

‎“Mine tilted towards a recommendation, which some interpret as voluntary, meaning the Senate has the right to comply or not.

‎“But I’d like to clarify that again.

‎“If you go further to Section 287, Subsection 3 of the 1999 Constitution, it clearly specifies that decisions, any of these five decisions of any court, are binding on every authority.

‎“So, what that means in simple terms: whether Justice Binta Nyako or the Federal High Court made an order, a sentence, a judicial decree, or a recommendation, however they want to interpret the literal words, it is still a decision of a court, and it is still binding on the National Assembly.”

‎Refuting media reports that the Senate had appealed the judgment, Akpoti-Uduaghan held up a document and said, ”The second issue I’ve seen…around the media is that the Senate appealed the judgment.

‎“I’m saying it clearly… this is the appeal last week against Justice Binta Nyako’s judgment.

‎“It is clear that it is not the National Assembly, neither is it the Senate. It’s Senator Akpabio himself.

‎“The National Assembly has not appealed that judgment. The Senate has not appealed the judgment.

‎“The Committee on Ethics, which wrongly suspended me, has not appealed the judgment.

‎“As a matter of fact, Senator Akpabio joined the Clerk of the National Assembly, the entire Senate, and the Chairman Committee on Ethics as joint respondents to the case.

‎“That means Akpabio has taken the National Assembly, the Senate, the Clerk, and the Committee to court as well.

‎“That must be clarified, so there is no reason whatsoever, contrary to the publications I read yesterday, that I should not resume today because the Senate has appealed.”

‎As she departed the premises alongside her supporters, the senator vowed to pursue legal solutions to address what transpired.

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