After months of tension and political drama, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) has shocked observers by inviting Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other lawmakers to her constituency project inauguration in Kogi State.
The invitation, read by Akpabio himself during Thursday’s plenary, could bring to an end in their face-off that saw Natasha suspended for six months over a stormy clash with Senate leadership.
“In marking my second anniversary as serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I wish to invite fellow distinguished senators to join me for projects commissioning in Kogi State,” her letter read.
The event, scheduled for Sunday in Ihima, Okene Local Government Area, will see lawmakers gather at Natasha’s residence before heading for the main ceremony. For those flying in, she advised landing at the Obajana airstrip before continuing by road to Ihima.
Akpabio, in a rare show of warmth, smiled after reading the letter and said, “Congratulations in advance.”
That moment softened the hostilities that had gripped the Red Chamber since Natasha’s suspension on March 6, 2025, following her fiery protest over the reallocation of her Senate seat — a move she described as unfair and dictatorial.
She accused Akpabio of running the Senate with “a dictatorial hand,” while the Senate President maintained she violated chamber rules.
Though her suspension ended in September, Natasha only returned to her office two weeks ago after months of legal back-and-forth. Since then, she has slowly reestablished her presence, recently proposing an amendment to the Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill 2025.
