September 10, 2025
THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has condemned Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the National Assembly’s move to stop the suspended Senator representing Kogi Centra, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, from resuming at the Senate after the expiration of her six-month suspension.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, had on September 4, 2025, wrote to the leadership of the Assembly, notifying them of her plan to resume having been on a six month suspension since March 6.
However, she was informed in a reply signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, that her suspension was still active until a pending case at the Court of Appeal was resolved
Resented by the Senate reply, the PDP, on Tuesday, accused the Senate President and the All Progressives Congress, APC-led Senate leadership of trying to stop Akpoti-Uduaghan from returning to the Senate after serving ourt her six-month suspension, describing the move as a ploy to denying the people of Kogi Central senatorial district representation in National Assembly and weakening the voice of opposition.
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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, had earlier gone to court to challenge her suspension, which began on March 6, 2025, after her altercation with Senate President Akpabio during plenary over seating arrangements.
The Senator had sought redress at the appellate court when the Federal High Court had ruled in favour of the Senate. The National Assembly, is now insisting that no administrative action will be taken on her resumption until the Court of Appeal delivers its decision.
It stressed that her suspension cannot be reviewed until the judicial process was fully concluded.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was assured that she would be officially informed of the Senate’s final position once the case is resolved.
In reaction to the issue, PDP, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, condemned reports that the Clerk of the National Assembly had issued a letter barring Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming her duties.
“This reported action by the Clerk of the National Assembly smacks of a calculated attempt being orchestrated by the Akpabio-led APC Senate leadership to abridge the right of representation of the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District and deny them a voice at the highest law-making body in the country.”
READ MORE; Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to Resume Duties After Court Ruling
The PDP said this move violated the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Standing Rules of the Senate.
“The attempt to use the National Assembly establishment against an elected Senator is highly provocative and constitutes a direct assault on the rule of law and democratic governance,” Ologunagba stated.
The statement further linked the action to what it described as attacks on women in politics, recalling allegations of harassment against women levelled at Senate President Akpabio.
“The reported action against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan further brings to the fore the allegations of attacks on the rights of women and sustained attempts to stifle their voices, as witnessed in the various accusations of harassment against women levelled against the current Senate President over the years.
” The PDP urged Akpabio to address these allegations directly instead of allegedly using his office to intimidate Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The party said Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension was unjust and excessive, adding that blocking her return would be a fresh attack on democracy.
It also warned the Clerk of the National Assembly to stay neutral and not be drawn into politics.
The Senate will resume from a two-month recess on September 23.
