Natasha’s Resumption: If the Senate Wants to Kill Us, Let It — We’re Not Backing Down, Says Aisha Yesufu

 

Nigerian activist and vocal socio-political commentator, Aisha Yesufu, has thrown her weight behind embattled Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as the lawmaker prepares to defy her suspension and return to the Senate floor on Tuesday. Speaking passionately during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Yesufu criticized what she described as an illegal and discriminatory move by the Senate, asserting that Akpoti-Uduaghan has every legal and moral right to resume her legislative duties.

The vocal campaigner confirmed she would personally accompany the senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District to the National Assembly complex, despite resistance from the legislative body. According to Yesufu, this action is not merely symbolic but a deliberate stand against what she sees as entrenched injustice and blatant disregard for judicial authority.

Her declaration came as tension continues to rise between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the leadership of the Senate, which has maintained a firm stance against her reinstatement. The lawmaker had earlier vowed to return to her post, citing a court order that reportedly invalidated the Senate’s suspension and instructed an immediate halt to punitive proceedings against her.

Aisha Yesufu minced no words while calling out what she described as a systemic bias against women in Nigerian politics. She highlighted the recurring pattern of institutional pushback whenever women assert their constitutional rights, pointing to Senator Natasha’s case as yet another example of this entrenched resistance. According to her, the Senate’s refusal to adhere to the court’s directive underscores a troubling culture of impunity within the nation's legislative corridors.

“Yes, Senator Natasha has every right to go back to work,” Yesufu insisted. “And she is not going to do that alone. We are going to walk in with her. I will be one of those people standing with her. If it comes to them trying to kill us for doing the right thing, let them kill us.”

Those words, fiery and unyielding, underline a wider frustration among civil society activists who have long accused Nigeria’s top legislative body of operating above the law. The Senate’s suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, which has been criticized as both politically motivated and lacking in procedural transparency, has sparked an intense public debate. Many observers argue that such high-handedness not only violates her rights but also sets a dangerous precedent for legislative authoritarianism.

Despite a court ruling in her favor, Akpoti-Uduaghan has been cautioned by the Senate leadership not to appear for Tuesday's session. A statement issued by the Senate warned that any attempt by the senator to participate in proceedings would be met with consequences, further escalating an already volatile standoff.

For Aisha Yesufu and others rallying behind Akpoti-Uduaghan, the issue is far greater than a single senator’s suspension. It is about respect for the rule of law, democratic accountability, and gender justice. They argue that the continued defiance of court orders by the Senate signals a deep-rooted institutional crisis that could threaten the fabric of the country’s democratic system.

Throughout her appearance on national television, Yesufu remained steadfast in her condemnation of the Senate’s actions. She urged the public not to sit idle while the legislative body openly flouts judicial authority. Her message was both a call to action and a warning about the dangers of unchecked legislative power.

“There was a court order instructing the Senate to suspend any punitive action, and they ignored it,” she said. “That sends a terrible message to every Nigerian, that lawmakers can do as they please, even in defiance of the courts. That is not the democracy we signed up for.”

As Tuesday approaches, all eyes are now on the National Assembly, where a confrontation appears inevitable. Will the Senate enforce its warning? Will Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan succeed in retaking her seat? And how will the presence of activists like Aisha Yesufu shape the outcome of this highly charged political drama?

What remains clear is that this is no longer just a legislative matter; it has grown into a national conversation on justice, equality, and the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.