Kogi Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Detained at Abuja Airport Amid Watchlist Controversy and Senate Tensions

 

Travel plans for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan took an unexpected turn on Thursday when she was reportedly detained at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. According to sources close to the lawmaker, immigration officials halted her attempt to board a flight bound for the United Kingdom, stating her name had been flagged on a government watch list.

The Kogi Central senator, who was accompanied by her husband at the time, had been en route to the UK to attend the graduation ceremony of her stepson. Witnesses say the senator appeared stunned by the sudden restriction, claiming she had not received any prior notice or official communication about such limitations on her travel rights.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that the situation quickly attracted attention at the airport, as immigration officials reportedly informed her she was barred from traveling. The exact reason for the listing remains unclear, but the timing has raised eyebrows, particularly given her recent public clashes within the Senate.

Sources familiar with the matter confirmed that the senator was later released and allowed to return home, but it remains uncertain whether she was eventually permitted to leave the country or not. Efforts to get official confirmation from the Nigerian Immigration Service have yielded no substantial responses as of press time.

The incident has sparked debate and speculation regarding its connection to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent altercations within the upper legislative chamber. Her outspoken criticism of the Senate's leadership, especially her public accusation of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has kept her in the political spotlight. She had also challenged her recent suspension by the Senate, which followed her protest over being relocated to a different seat without explanation.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s protest of her seating reassignment led to an emotionally charged session on the Senate floor, where she voiced concerns about intimidation and marginalization. Her suspension was seen by some political analysts as retaliatory, especially given that the issue was rooted in her resistance to perceived political bullying rather than any formal misconduct.

Her allegations against Senate President Akpabio have only added fuel to the fire. The senator accused him of inappropriate conduct and abuse of office. Akpabio has strongly denied the allegations, dismissing them as baseless and politically motivated. However, the matter has continued to divide public opinion and has remained a hot-button issue within political circles.

Analysts believe the watchlist placement, if proven to be true, could indicate broader attempts to silence dissent within the Senate. Some civil rights organizations have already expressed concern about the apparent pattern of intimidation against vocal lawmakers. A Lagos-based legal advocacy group has demanded transparency, calling for immediate clarification on why a serving senator would be flagged without due process or public record of wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, supporters of Akpoti-Uduaghan have taken to social media to denounce the incident, describing it as an affront to democracy and a clear act of harassment. They argue that no lawmaker should be subjected to such treatment without legal justification, especially one who has not been indicted by any court or tribunal.

Legal experts have weighed in as well, noting that placing a senator on a travel watchlist without judicial backing would violate her constitutional rights. Some have called for the National Assembly to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure that such measures are not used as tools of political repression.

Back in Kogi State, reactions have been swift. Community leaders and youth organizations have voiced solidarity with the senator, demanding an official explanation and the immediate removal of her name from any travel restriction list.

The events of Thursday have only intensified the political tension surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan. While her critics accuse her of playing the victim for political gain, her supporters insist she is being punished for speaking out against a system that often seeks to silence dissenting voices.

As Nigerians await further developments, one thing is clear: the unfolding saga involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has exposed deep fault lines within the legislative framework and raised urgent questions about transparency, due process, and the limits of political power in a democratic society.