Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has described the suspension of Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as one of the most difficult moments experienced by the 10th Senate.
Opeyemi said the controversy surrounding the disciplinary action taken against the lawmaker, Bamidele said the development created a damaging public perception that the upper legislative chamber lacked unity, discipline, and regard for women.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 following a confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary over seating arrangements. Her suspension lasted six months after the Senate adopted recommendations submitted by the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions chaired by Senator Neda Imaseun.
As part of the disciplinary measures approved at the time, her office within the National Assembly complex was sealed, while all official Senate properties in her possession were ordered returned to the Clerk of the National Assembly. The Senate also directed that neither the senator nor members of her staff should be seen around the National Assembly premises throughout the suspension period.
Her salaries, allowances, security details, and benefits attached to her legislative aides were equally withdrawn during the period.
The Kogi senator later returned to legislative duties in September 2025 after the expiration of the suspension and the reopening of her office.
Reflecting on the incident, Bamidele admitted that the issue became a major distraction for the Senate and overshadowed the institution’s legislative achievements.
According to him, public conversations at the time shifted away from governance and focused almost entirely on whether the Senate acted appropriately in suspending one of its members and whether the duration of the punishment was excessive.
He said the prolonged controversy painted the institution in a negative light and fueled perceptions that lawmakers were divided and insensitive to gender concerns.
Bamidele further stated that the attention generated by the matter prevented the public from fully appreciating efforts by the Senate to support economic reforms and pass laws intended to strengthen governance and stabilise the country’s economy.
Despite the controversy, the Senate leader maintained that the 10th National Assembly had recorded significant achievements through collaboration with the executive arm of government on critical legislation and economic policies.