……PDP Reacts
The national assembly has prevented Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, from resuming legislative duties, insisting that her suspension is still a subject of litigation.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had, in a letter dated August 28, 2025, notified the clerk to the national assembly of her intention to resume on September 4, the date she said marked the end of her six-month suspension.
She argued that the federal high court had in July declared her suspension “excessive and unconstitutional” and ordered her recall.
“I write to formally notify you on my decision to resume my legislative function upon the expiration of the suspension period,” she said.
She added that the expiration entitled her to resume her “full duties as a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” without prejudice to the appeals filed at the court of appeal.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also demanded immediate access to her senatorial office, citing constitutional obligations and the need to prepare for plenary resumption.
She said her request was based on the need to review pending legislative business, catch up on committee assignments, attend to constituency issues and prepare for parliamentary sessions.
But in a reply dated September 4, 2025, Yahaya Danzaria, acting clerk to the national assembly, rejected the request.
Danzaria said the senator’s suspension took effect from March 6 and remains a subject of litigation before the court of appeal.
“The matter therefore remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded and the senate formally reviews the suspension in the light of the court’s pronouncement, no administrative action can be taken by this office to facilitate your resumption,” he wrote.
The clerk said Akpoti-Uduaghan would be duly notified of the senate’s decision once the matter is resolved.
On July 22, all gates to the National Assembly Complex were locked to prevent Akpoti-Uduaghan from entering the premises.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the senate for gross misconduct on March 6, following a seating arrangement altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
PDP Reacts
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has urged the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to prepare to resume her duties in the Senate.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party condemned the attempt by the Clerk of the National Assembly to bar Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming her role following the six-month suspension imposed on her by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The PDP described the action as a calculated attempt, orchestrated by the Senator Akpabio-led All Progressives Congress, APC Senate leadership, to abridge the right of representation of the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District and deny them a voice at the nation’s highest law-making body.
“The PDP calls on the international community, democracy institutions, right advocacy groups and other democracy development partners to rise up in condemnation of this renewed attack on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“The PDP demands that the Senate leadership ensures that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is allowed to resume her duties and perform her roles as an elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria unhindered,” the statement added
