Aisha Yesufu vows to escort Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to Senate today

Outspoken human rights activist, Aisha Yesufu, has declared her unwavering support for suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, vowing to personally accompany the embattled lawmaker to her office at the National Assembly on Tuesday, as the senator moves to resume her duties despite opposition from the Senate leadership.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, Yesufu condemned what she described as “systemic discrimination” against women in Nigeria’s political landscape, insisting that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has every legal and moral right to return to the Senate following a court judgment nullifying her suspension.

“Yes, Senator Natasha has every right to resume office, and by tomorrow, she is not going alone,” Yesufu stated. “There are people going with her, and I will be one of them. We will stand with her. If the Senate decides to kill us, then let them kill us.”

The activist, known for her fearless advocacy and role in the #EndSARS movement, expressed deep concern over what she sees as a targeted attempt to suppress female political voices.

“Out of 109 senators, only four are women,” she noted. “And yet, one of them—Senator Natasha—is being attacked for doing nothing but performing her duties responsibly. Enough of treating us like second-class citizens.”

Yesufu strongly criticized the Senate’s decision to suspend Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, branding it unconstitutional and unlawful.

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She said the move was not only a violation of the senator’s rights but also an affront to the democratic mandate given to her by her constituents.

“The Senate didn’t make Natasha a senator — her people did,” she said. “And no institution has the right to take away their representation unlawfully. The court didn’t stop her from returning to work. On the contrary, it ruled that the suspension was unconstitutional.”

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, has faced mounting political resistance in recent months following her vocal positions in the Senate.

Her planned return to the red chamber on Tuesday is expected to test the Senate’s commitment to democratic values and gender equality.

Aisha Yesufu’s support underscores the growing frustration among civil society groups and women’s rights advocates over the marginalization of female leaders in Nigerian politics.

Her call to action has sparked widespread conversations on social media, with many Nigerians rallying behind the embattled senator ahead of Tuesday’s showdown.