ABUJA, Nigeria — A brief standoff unfolded at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, after immigration officials held on to the passport of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, prompting the lawmaker to accuse Senate President Godswill Akpabio of ordering the move in what she described as a politically motivated act of intimidation.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, said she was prevented from boarding her flight and had her travel document withheld “for no lawful reason”.
In a live Facebook video recorded at the airport, she accused authorities of “embarrassment” and “abuse of power”, asserting that she faced no criminal charges or judicial restrictions on travel.
“My passport has been withheld again,” she said.
“The same thing happened last time when I was prevented from travelling. I have committed no offence and there is no court order stopping me.”
In the video, the visibly agitated senator claimed an immigration officer informed her that Akpabio had directed officials to seize her passport whenever she attempted to leave the country.
“The last time this happened, the officer in charge told us that the Senate President Godswill Akpabio had instructed them to seize my passport and stop me from travelling because, according to him, each time I travel abroad, I ‘smear the country’s image’ by granting interviews to international media,” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan described the alleged directive as unlawful. “You have no right to withhold my passport or stop me from travelling in and out of my own country,” she said.
“Godswill Akpabio, the senate president, has instructed the comptroller-general of customs to deny me exit and to withhold my passport. This is wrong. There is no such order.”
She also referenced President Bola Tinubu’s previous directive to the attorney-general to withdraw what she called “politically motivated” cases against her, saying there was “no justification for the continued harassment”.
“I have attended every court session. I am not a risk to my country,” she said. “Why treat me like a criminal?”
The senator said she would pursue legal action over what she termed “continuous embarrassment”.
“Sometimes, you just have to be a rebel to make things right,” she added.
Shortly after the confrontation, an immigration officer returned her passport on camera.
It is not yet clear why the document was held or whether any formal explanation was given.
Efforts to reach Jackson Udom, spokesperson to the Senate President, were unsuccessful. Messages and calls seeking comment went unanswered.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s latest confrontation comes months after a turbulent political dispute with Akpabio.
Following a heated exchange over seating in the Senate earlier this year, she accused him of sexual harassment — an allegation he denied.
She was subsequently suspended for six months after a report by the Senate committee on ethics and privileges, returning to the chamber on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
On Monday, November 3, 2025, she said many senators privately supported her during the suspension but were afraid to do so publicly “for fear of being castigated or persecuted”.
