Ahead of the resumption of lawmakers from break today (Tuesday), the National Assembly Complex in Abuja was turned into a fortress on Monday, as heavily armed security operatives manned all entrances amid fears that suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan might attempt to force her way into the complex.

Witnesses described an unusually tight security cordon, with “fierce-looking” personnel stationed at every Entrance – an extraordinary measure not seen since the lawmakers embark on their annual recess

Staff and visitors were subjected to intensified screening as the leadership sought to prevent any confrontation.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has been embroiled in a bitter battle with Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over her six-month suspension, which she insists expired on September 4.

She has accused Akpabio of denying her constituents representation by blocking her return.

In a statement signed by Director of Information Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, the Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly reaffirmed that the senator would not be allowed back until either the Senate passes a fresh resolution or the Court of Appeal rules definitively on the case.

“The matter remains sub judice, and any change in her status must either arise from a fresh Senate resolution or a definitive court order. The Clerk is not in a position to facilitate her resumption,” the statement read.

The Clerk’s Office said it was “dismayed” by threats of legal and disciplinary action from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyers, stressing it had acted strictly within its administrative mandate.

The legal team of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier issued a blistering demand for her immediate reinstatement to the Senate, warning that continued obstruction by the National Assembly could trigger serious legal consequences.

In a letter to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Michael Jonathan Numa (SAN), described the refusal to allow Akpoti-Uduaghan to resume duties after her fixed six-month suspension as unconstitutional and unlawful.

The counsel criticised the Clerk for misapplying the sub judice rule to block the implementation of court judgments in her favor.

The letter underscored the Federal High Court’s March ruling and Justice Binta Nyako’s July judgment, which both declared the suspension excessive and invalid, directing the Senate to restore her rights.

Monday’s show of force underscores the high stakes of the dispute. Lawmakers and staff privately admitted that the lockdown was aimed at averting a possible standoff if Natasha appeared at the complex.

Political analysts say the clash has deepened divisions within the Senate and rekindled debate over the constitutionality of suspending elected representatives. Civil society groups have warned that prolonged exclusion of a senator erodes democratic representation.

With her office sealed and her constituents effectively voiceless, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s next move remains uncertain. But the Senate’s hard line and the visible security buildup suggest the leadership is bracing for more confrontation as the legal battle grinds on.