Senate Reopens Senator Natasha’s Office After Months of Controversy

In a rare and dramatic move, the National Assembly has officially unsealed the office of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, marking a major turning point in one of Nigeria’s most talked-about political standoffs.

If you’ve been following Nigerian politics lately, you’ve probably heard the name: Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). She’s been at the center of controversy, courage, and suspension from the National Assembly.

It all started in March 2025, when Senator Natasha raised serious allegations of sexual harassment against the then-President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

She stood on the Senate floor live on national TV and accused Akpabio of making inappropriate advances and creating a hostile environment for female senators. Her emotional testimony sent shockwaves across the country.

The Senate leadership didn’t take it lightly.

Within days, her office at the National Assembly complex in Abuja was sealed shut officially “for renovation,” but widely seen by Nigerians as a form of punishment. Her staff were locked out. Her phones went silent. Salary withheld, her official car? Withdrawn.

Many Nigerians called it political victimization. Women’s groups protested. The hashtag #LetNatashaWork trended for weeks.

In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Deputy Director of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji, was seen opening the office door and removing the red seal from it.

In a brief but powerful statement released through her spokesperson:

“I never asked for drama. I only asked to be heard and to do my job. Today, my office is open again. My voice was never sealed. My fight for dignity, accountability, and justice continues.”

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about one senator’s office. It’s about:

Accountability — Can leaders be held responsible for alleged misconduct?
Gender Equity — Will women in politics be silenced for speaking up?
Institutional Integrity — Should state power be used to punish dissent?

The unsealing is more than a bureaucratic reversal; it’s a signal. A signal that pressure works. That public outcry matters.