Senator Natasha Alleges Akpabio Ordered Passport Seizure

Tensions escalated on Tuesday as Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of directing Officials to seize her International pyassport, preventing her from travelling abroad.

Speaking in a video statement, the Senator said she discovered the passport withheld at the airport while preparing for a short trip. “I decided to take a week off. I’m at the airport, and my passport has been withheld again,” she said.

She claimed a previous Officer told her the action was on Akpabio’s orders, alleging that he was unhappy with her interviews to International media.

Senator Akpoti‑Uduaghan noted that, despite ongoing Federal cases against her, President Bola Tinubu had instructed the Attorney-General to withdraw them, making the alleged seizure unnecessary.

Confronting the officers, she said: “You have no right to withhold my passport or deny me exit and entrance into my Country.”

After a tense exchange, the passport was reportedly returned. However, the incident has raised questions about parliamentary power, civil liberties, and possible misuse of state authority for political ends.

Neither Akpabio’s office nor the Nigeria Immigration Service has issued a full comment. The NIS spokesperson described the incident as “standard checks” and not a seizure, although the passport was temporarily taken for verification.

The episode highlights concerns over elected officials’ rights and the balance of power within Nigeria’s political system, drawing National and International attention.