Mild drama unfolded at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Thursday morning when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was briefly prevented from boarding her flight to the United Kingdom.
The Kogi Central lawmaker, traveling with her husband to attend her stepson’s graduation, was stopped by immigration officers who informed her that her name had been placed on a travel watch list.
Officials claimed the directive came from the National Assembly leadership, labeling her a “potential flight risk.”
Despite the initial hold-up, Senator Akpoti remained calm and contested the restriction, asserting that no court order barred her travel.
Following nearly an hour of discussions and multiple urgent phone calls made by her husband, the immigration officers eventually cleared her passport, allowing her to proceed and board the British Airways flight.
Her family expressed hope that she would not face similar challenges upon her return to Nigeria in two weeks.
This incident adds to the ongoing tension between Senator Natasha and the Senate leadership, particularly following her suspension for six months amid controversies including her rejection of a seating reassignment and allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, claims he denies.
The Federal Government has also initiated two criminal defamation cases against her.
Observers see the travel block as possibly connected to these political controversies.
Neither the Nigeria Immigration Service nor the Senate President’s office has issued official statements on the episode.
Meanwhile, the senator’s calm demeanor and swift resolution helped avoid prolonged disruption, though it raised concerns about potential misuse of institutional power and political interference in official processes.
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