***Alleges Akpabio Ordered Action, Describes Move as Political Harassment
A fresh drama is unfolded around fiery Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, after she accused airport officials of seizing her international passport on the alleged orders of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a video that quickly went viral on Monday, the outspoken lawmaker narrated how her passport was withheld at an international airport — a situation she described as “a repeated act of political persecution.”
“My passport has been withheld again,” she said, visibly shaken in the clip. “The last time, I was told it was on the instruction of the Senate President who claimed I smear the country’s image abroad. I have committed no offense, and there is no court order against me.”
According to Akpoti-Uduaghan, this is the second time her travel document has been seized under similar circumstances, despite her fulfilling all legal obligations as a citizen and legislator.
She said the latest incident was both embarrassing and unlawful, amounting to “an attempt to cage a dissenting voice.”
The senator, known for her fearlessness and history of political battles, said her passport had been previously withheld and later released only after “the intervention of a top-ranking government official.”
“This is no longer coincidence; it’s harassment,” she declared. “It’s becoming a pattern, a deliberate attempt to intimidate and silence me for speaking truth to power.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan further alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation to withdraw politically motivated cases filed against her, acknowledging that they were products of partisan vendettas.
“The President himself said those cases were baseless and politically driven,” she said.
“I have attended every court session. I’m not a flight risk or a national security threat. So why am I being treated like a criminal?”
The lawmaker vowed to take legal action against the government agencies involved in what she called a “blatant abuse of power.”
Her latest ordeal comes barely two days after celebrating her second anniversary in office, during which she commissioned a series of constituency projects across Kogi Central.
Her passport was later handed back to her after the alarm she raised.
Ironically, just last week, Senate President Akpabio read her official letter of invitation to the anniversary celebration during plenary, a gesture that many observers interpreted as a sign of reconciliation between the two lawmakers.
But Akpoti-Uduaghan dismissed that perception, insisting that the invitation was purely procedural and not a political overture.
“That announcement was standard legislative practice,” she explained. “There was nothing personal or reconciliatory about it.”
As of press time, neither Senate President Akpabio’s office nor airport authorities had issued any response to the allegations.
The unfolding episode adds a new layer to the long-running tension between the Senate President and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
