Atiku hails reinstatement of Senator Natasha, slams Tinubu for undermining constitution
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has applauded the reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing the Federal High Court’s decision as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, returned to the Senate on Tuesday, September 24, 2025, following a court ruling that invalidated her suspension as unlawful.
Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), praised the judiciary for upholding constitutional order, while criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration for allowing what he called executive overreach and legislative intimidation.
“I welcome the nullification of the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti by a court of competent jurisdiction,” Atiku stated via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday.
“The rule of law is the foundation of any democratic society, and our leaders must lead by example in upholding it. The culture of recklessness and impunity by those entrusted with leadership responsibilities must be resisted and not allowed to fester. Democracy dies where the rule of law is undermined.”
The court’s verdict, delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, declared Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension null and void, affirming it as a violation of legislative due process. The judge also ordered the Senate to restore all her entitlements and benefits withheld during the suspension period.
The senator was suspended on March 14, 2024, after she raised concerns over alleged irregularities in budgetary allocations—a move that prompted a motion against her by Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West).
