ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigerian Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused immigration officials of unlawfully seizing her passport at a local airport, alleging political interference from Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The incident, which occurred as she attempted to travel abroad, has sparked renewed debate over civil liberties and political retaliation in Nigeria.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), went live on social media from the airport terminal, confronting immigration officers and claiming her travel documents were withheld without legal justification. She described the action as a violation of her constitutional right to freedom of movement.
“This is the second time I’ve been stopped from travelling without any court order or pending investigation,” she said in the video. “The officer told me the directive came from Senate President Akpabio, who believes I damage Nigeria’s image when I speak to international media.”
The senator had recently marked her second year in office by commissioning development projects in her constituency. She said she was taking a short personal break when the incident occurred. Her passport was eventually returned after what she described as “external intervention.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan also claimed that President Bola Tinubu had previously directed the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to withdraw all federal cases against her, suggesting that the passport seizure was politically motivated and not legally sanctioned.
The lawmaker has had a contentious history with Akpabio, including a dispute over Senate seat reallocation earlier this year that led to her six-month suspension from legislative duties. She resumed her role in late September.
Public reaction to the incident has been swift. Civil rights groups and political commentators have condemned the alleged interference, calling it an abuse of power. “If true, this is a dangerous precedent,” said one legal analyst. “No public official should be able to weaponize immigration controls against a sitting senator.”
Social media users rallied behind Akpoti-Uduaghan, with hashtags like #PassportPolitics and #StandWithNatasha trending across Nigerian platforms. “This is not just about one senator—it’s about every citizen’s right to travel freely,” one user posted.
The Nigerian Immigration Service has not issued an official statement regarding the incident. Senate President Akpabio has also remained silent, despite mounting calls for clarification.
As the controversy unfolds, observers say the incident underscores growing concerns about political overreach and the erosion of democratic norms in Nigeria’s governance.
