Although her journey was marked by courtroom battles, political rivalry, and suspension drama, Akpoti-Uduaghan in her first remarks after resumption, struck a defiant tone.

DAILY POST reported that the senator insisted that she has “no apology to tender.”

She said, “In retrospect, it is actually amazing how much we have had to pay in the past six months, from the unjust suspension to the recall. But we survived the recall, blackmail, and that crazy lady on Facebook.

“It is amazing what we had to pass through, and I give God Almighty the glory and my deepest appreciation to the people of Kogi Central and Nigerians at large. To my husband, I love you dearly. I pray all men support their wives in the same manner you have supported me.

“In everything, sometimes it is good to push the institution to the test. We can’t cower down in the face of injustice. No one is more Nigerian than us. Senator Akpabio is not more of a senator than I am. He is not the governor of this place, yet he treated me as if I were a servant or domestic staff in his house.

“It is so unfortunate that we will have a National Assembly being run by such a dictator. It is totally unacceptable.”

Bumpy road ahead

DAILY POST findings show that Natasha’s return comes with risks. Her outspoken style, while popular among reform-minded Nigerians, often runs against the grain of a Senate dominated by compromise and backroom deals.

Political analysts caution that unless she tempers her approach, she may once again find herself on a collision course with the leadership.

As Natasha resumes her seat, she faces a delicate task: maintaining her bold voice without inviting further clashes that could derail her legislative agenda.

Atiku warns against authoritarianism

On his part, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar welcomed the unsealing of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s office, describing it as a triumph of collective resistance against political intimidation.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Atiku said although the people of Kogi Central cannot reclaim the legislative time lost during the senator’s suspension, the episode has shown that “when we stand together, we can triumph over tyranny.”

He linked the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan to what he described as a broader pattern under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, citing the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and some lawmakers in the state assembly.

According to Atiku, these actions point to a deliberate attempt to weaken democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 elections. He vowed that the opposition would use all lawful means to defend democracy, protect the people’s mandate, and resist authoritarian tendencies.

“Let it be clear: on our part, we shall do everything legitimate and within the bounds of the law to protect our democracy, defend the sovereignty of the people’s mandate, and rescue our nation from the grip of authoritarianism,” Atiku said.

Senate allowed itself to be used – Aisha Yesufu

In response to the unsealing of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s office, Convener of defunct BringBackOurGirls, BBOG, advocacy group, Aisha Yesufu, accused the Senate of allowing itself to be used.

Yesufu expressed hope that the Senate would get its independence.

Reacting, Yesufu posted on X: “The Senate has allowed itself to be used. Hope they get their independence.”

Abide by Senate rules, regulations – Legal Expert

Similarly, speaking to DAILY POST in a chat, the President of the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), Olu Omotayo, described Natasha’s return to the Senate as a proper development.

He maintained that it wasn’t proper to deny a whole constituency their rights of having representation at the National Assembly.

Omotayo, however, urged the Kogi Senator to ensure she abided by the rules of the Senate, noting there was no organization without rules.

He said: “That’s a proper thing to have done. It’s not proper to deny a whole constituency their rights to have a representative at the National Assembly.

“If we are truly practicing democracy that’s not what the constitution really meant. You can take disciplinary action against a member of the senate but not to punish people of that constituency by denying them their rights.

“I think that’s a proper thing as they have taken steps to ensure that the people of that zone are adequately represented at the National Assembly.

“Since they have unsealed her office we are hopeful that very soon she would be allowed to take her seat in the Senate.

“As she is coming back, the Senate has rules. She too should try to abide by the rules of the Senate because there’s no organization without rules.

“It’s not good to deny your constituency representation in the Senate.”

Senator Natasha should tread carefully – Analyst

Meanwhile, a Public Affairs Analyst and Communication Scholar at Peaceland University, Enugu, Dr. Nduka Odo, has advised Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to tread carefully following her return to the Senate after a six-month suspension.

Speaking in an interview with DAILY POST on Tuesday, Odo noted that while Akpoti-Uduaghan enjoys public goodwill, her confrontations with Senate President Godswill Akpabio could intensify political risks against her.

He said although the Senate officially sanctioned her, Nigerians believe the action was directly driven by the Senate President. According to him, attempts to silence the lawmaker would only strengthen public sympathy for her, especially concerning the sexual harassment allegations she levelled against Akpabio.

Odo stressed that Nigeria’s weak political and governance systems allowed Akpabio to remain in office despite the weight of the allegation.

He argued that in stronger democracies, such claims would have compelled either a resignation or suspension pending investigation.

Advising Akpoti-Uduaghan, Odo urged her to maintain discipline within the chamber and avoid any involvement in corrupt practices.

He warned that her colleagues may attempt to frame or discredit her, and could even work against her re-election bid in 2027 if she fails to play “a smarter game.”

He said: “Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan returned in grand style, unequivocally stating that she had no apologies to offer. Before I give any advice, I’ll first talk to Senator Akpabio and Nigerians.

“While it’s officially stated that the Senate is the one that sanctioned her, Nigerians know that it is the Senate President that sanctioned and suspended her.

“For that, Akpabio should remember that the harder he fights to silence her, the more public perception tilts in her favour on the sexual harassment allegation.

“To Nigerians, let’s fight for stronger political and governance systems. If we had strong, independent systems in place, the allegation that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan levelled against SP Akpabio, which led to her suspension for six months, was strong enough for SP Akpabio to resign or be suspended until investigation was done. But such did not happen.

“My words for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is that it’s good that she celebrates her return. While she may have public goodwill behind her, she should remember that every establishment has rules and guidelines.

“Without order, there are no processes. The distinction of many members of the chamber has become questionable over time, evidenced by characteristics displayed. Still, the higher lawmaking entity stands as an ideal to respect.

“If she hasn’t been involved in kickbacks and corrupt practices, this is the time for her to run farther away. They will frame her up. They’ll look for ways to discredit her.

“Her colleagues will work against her re-election. They abhor anyone who shines and brings attention to what goes on in the chamber. Therefore, unless she plays a smarter game, she may not return to the Senate in 2027.”