By Deborah Nnamdi
What was meant to be a triumphant return for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday turned chaotic after security operatives dispersed a large crowd of her supporters at the National Assembly gate.
The Kogi Central lawmaker, whose six-month suspension from the Senate recently expired, arrived at the complex with a jubilant procession of constituents. However, she was reportedly denied entry, prompting security forces to deploy tear gas to control the crowd.
Eyewitnesses described the atmosphere as tense, with women and youths from Kogi State among those caught up in the melee. Several supporters sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals by emergency responders.
“It was supposed to be a historic return for her, but it turned into a nightmare,” a National Assembly staff member told reporters.
The development came hours after reports surfaced that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s office had been reinstated, fueling expectations that her return to legislative duties would be seamless.
Reacting to the incident, Akpoti-Uduaghan condemned the treatment of her supporters, stressing that the gathering was peaceful.
“These are innocent Nigerians who came in peace; they deserve better,” she told journalists, urging the Senate to uphold democratic values in handling such situations.
The clash has drawn criticism from civil society groups and political commentators, who are now calling on the Senate leadership to investigate the incident and prevent a repeat of such confrontations.
