By Peterside Rejoice, Abuja
After weeks of recess, the Nigerian Senate is set to resume plenary on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, in what is expected to be one of the most politically charged and economically sensitive sessions of the 10th National Assembly.
From the much anticipated return of Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, to questions surrounding Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s leadership style, and mounting public frustration over Nigeria’s worsening economic crisis, all eyes will be on the red chamber as it reconvenes.
The resumption comes at a time when public confidence in governance remains weak, inflation continues to soar, the naira keeps depreciating, and the nation’s debt burden has reached alarming levels. Inside the National Assembly, tension is already brewing not just over Natasha’s recall but over how the Senate intends to reclaim its independence and respond to a struggling economy that has left millions of Nigerians battling hardship and despair.
Natasha, Akpabio Faceoff: A Test of Leadership and Tolerance
At the centre of political attention is Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the vocal lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, whose suspension earlier in the year drew outrage from civil society and many Nigerians who accused the Senate leadership of intolerance.
Her office was officially reopened last week, signalling that she may make a dramatic return to the chamber when plenary resumes on Tuesday.
Natasha’s suspension followed a string of public disagreements with Senate President Akpabio, whom she accused of running the legislature “like a one-man show” and silencing dissenting voices.
“The Senate should not be a one-man show. Nigerians sent us here to make laws, not to bow to intimidation,” she had said in one of her interviews earlier this year.
While reports suggest behind-the-scenes reconciliation efforts have been ongoing, political insiders believe Natasha’s return may reignite debates on freedom of speech and legislative independence.
The Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, is expected to either move a motion for her formal recall or quietly reintegrate her to avoid reopening political wounds. Whichever approach is adopted, observers say Akpabio’s handling of the matter will be a defining moment for his leadership style.
“This is not just about one senator,” a senior legislative aide noted. “It’s about whether Akpabio can tolerate dissent and still maintain control without being seen as autocratic.”
Economic Realities Overshadow Political Drama
Beyond political tension, the Senate resumes amid worsening economic hardship and rising public anger over the government’s fiscal management.
Despite still operating under the 2024 budget of N28.7 trillion, which analysts say has been poorly implemented, the Federal Government is already preparing the 2026 Appropriation Bill a move that has raised eyebrows among economists who question the efficiency of Nigeria’s budget cycle.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), inflation currently stands at 32.4 percent, unemployment hovers at 33 percent, and the naira trades around N1,465 to a dollar. Meanwhile, the country’s total debt stock has climbed to N97 trillion, with debt servicing consuming nearly 95 percent of federal revenue.
“The Senate needs to do more than approve budgets,” said an Abuja-based economist. “Oversight must become its main focus. Nigerians can’t keep hearing about trillions budgeted while their living conditions worsen daily.”
Budgetary breakdowns show that over 70 percent of the 2024 budget was allocated to recurrent expenditure salaries, allowances, and administrative costs while less than 30 percent went to capital projects.
FAAC Paradox: If Agencies Met Revenue Targets, Why Borrow?
Adding to the fiscal tension is a recent revelation from a recent statement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who revealed that several federal agencies have already met or even surpassed their 2025 revenue targets months before the year comes to an end.
The President’s comment, which was intended to highlight improved revenue performance, has instead raised critical questions among critic who wonder why the Federal Government continues to borrow heavily despite such reports of strong fiscal performance..
The inconsistency between reported revenue gains and continuous borrowing has sparked calls for the Senate to demand comprehensive, audited performance reports from ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) before approving any new budget or loan request.
Between May 2023 and June 2024, President Tinubu’s administration secured a $2.25 billion loan from the World Bank to support economic reforms. The package included $1.5 billion aimed at stabilising the economy and providing support for poor and vulnerable households, while another $750 million was designated to strengthen tax reforms and boost revenue generation.
Barely a month later, in July 2024, the President again sought the Senate’s approval for a new $2.5 billion borrowing plan, which formed part of a larger medium-term financing framework. The administration justified the fresh loan request as necessary to sustain key infrastructure, power, and agricultural projects.
However, critics argue that these continuous borrowing plans, despite assurances of economic reforms, have not translated into visible relief for Nigerians who continue to face high inflation, food scarcity, and a volatile exchange rate.
As the Senate reconvenes, attention will focus on how lawmakers intend to interrogate the nation’s rising debt profile and hold the executive accountable for the utilisation of previously approved loans. Observers are also watching to see whether new borrowing requests may be brought before the chamber as the 2025 fiscal year approaches.
Lawmakers are expected to demand audited performance reports from ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) before approving any new borrowing or budget proposals. Civic organizations are also urging the Senate to put fiscal transparency and accountability above political loyalty.
Local Government Autonomy and Electoral Reform Back on the Table
Apart from fiscal issues, the Senate is expected to revisit two major reforms: local government autonomy and electoral reform, both of which have stalled for years despite public pressure.
Proponents of local government independence argue that granting full financial and administrative autonomy to councils will boost service delivery, strengthen grassroots democracy, and reduce overdependence on the federal purse.
Similarly, with the 2027 general elections approaching, stakeholders are calling for early passage of amendments to the Electoral Act that will improve electronic transmission of results, close legal loopholes, and strengthen the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
CISLAC Speaks: Legislature Must Regain the People’s Confidence
Speaking ahead of the resumption, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, stressed that Nigerians expect the new session of the Senate to focus squarely on issues that directly impact citizens’ welfare.
“This new session must focus on critical issues that affect the lives of the vast majority of Nigerians, who are the ordinary citizens,” Rafsanjani said in an exclusive interview with The Premier News. “The legislature exists to represent the people and check the powers of the executive. We want to see them make laws and take deliberate action to address economic hardship and insecurity across the country.”
He added that the growing disconnect between government policy and public welfare stems from a lack of collaboration, poor implementation, inadequate oversight, and excessive political considerations.
“The responsibility for this disconnect lies with both the executive and legislative arms, as well as the MDAs,” he said. “The National Assembly must practice fiscal integrity, proper accounting, and ensure robust budget defence. Meanwhile, the executive must foster a cohesive budgeting process, spend responsibly, and think creatively about revenue generation instead of constant borrowing.”
On Senator Natasha’s recall, the CISLAC boss described the development as a litmus test for Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“The Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan case is a test for Nigeria’s democracy, particularly the Senate,” Rafsanjani noted. “It touches on constitutional law, separation of powers, and the right of citizens to criticize their leaders without fear. This case will serve as a precedent for years to come, which is why we urge both the courts and the Senate to uphold the rule of law and promote human rights and democracy.”
A Defining Moment for the 10th Senate
For Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the weeks ahead will test not only his political dexterity but also his tolerance, foresight, and ability to lead an institution under intense public scrutiny.
Between the Natasha controversy, the battered economy, and growing calls for accountability, the Senate is under immense pressure to prove that it can rise above partisanship and perform its constitutional duties with courage.
“This resumption is not just about Natasha’s return,” said a National Assembly source. “It’s about credibility. Nigerians want to see a Senate that speaks truth to power, that prioritizes citizens’ welfare above political calculations.”
As senators return to the red chamber on Tuesday, the atmosphere around the National Assembly is already thick with expectation and unease. Whether the 10th Senate will confront Nigeria’s deepening crises head-on or retreat into political theatrics remains to be seen.
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