The crisis over the return of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the red chamber deepened on Tuesday as the National Assembly formally declined her request to resume legislative duties, despite the expiration of her six-month suspension on September 4, 2025.
In a letter dated the same day and signed by Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr Yahaya Danzaria, the parliament maintained that it could not act until the Court of Appeal delivers judgment on the case surrounding her suspension.
The Clerk’s letter, addressed directly to Akpoti-Uduaghan, read in part, “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.”
Danzaria argued that any administrative move before the judicial process ends would amount to “pre-empting the outcome of the courts,” adding that the sanctity of legal proceedings demanded caution.
The Clerk further noted that the two pending cases, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s challenge to the suspension and the Senate President’s cross-appeal, both tie the legislature’s hands until the appellate court gives a final word.
*Adegboruwa: Senate overreaching, acting vindictively
But human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, faulted the Clerk’s stance, describing it as a “dangerous overreach.”
In a strongly worded statement, he said, “The suspension of the Senator was for six months, certain, being limited by time. Once the six months expire, she should be allowed to resume her seat in the Senate automatically. Failure to allow her to resume is indirectly extending the suspension beyond six months, without a valid resolution of the Senate to that effect.”
He added, “The court case being referred to relates to the six-month suspension, as to its validity and constitutionality. The appeal flowing from that case is also limited in scope. Anything to the contrary will portray the Senate as being vindictive and petty.”
Adegboruwa warned that turning a six-month suspension into indefinite exclusion would disenfranchise millions of voters in Kogi Central.
“She has already served the six months in full. Any determination by the court can only relate to the validity of the suspension and her entitlements. The purpose of the suspension having been fulfilled, no useful purpose will be served to deny her from resuming duties.”
*PDP: A ploy to silence Natasha, attack women
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to which Akpoti-Uduaghan belongs, issued a blistering response.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party declared, “This calculated attempt by the APC-led Senate to abridge the right of representation of the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District is highly provocative and constitutes a clear and present danger to democracy and overall stability of our country.”
The PDP urged Akpoti-Uduaghan to ignore the Clerk’s letter and prepare to resume when the Senate reconvenes on September 23.
“While charging Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to discountenance the reported letter by the Clerk, our party demands that the Senate leadership ensure she is allowed to perform her roles as an elected Senator unhindered.”
The PDP accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of weaponising the legislature against a female colleague:
“The reported action further brings to the fore allegations of attacks on the rights of women and sustained attempts to stifle their voices as witnessed in the accusations of harassment against Senator Akpabio over the years.”
The party also urged the Clerk to withdraw the letter and maintain neutrality:
“Our party strongly cautions the Clerk to withdraw the said letter and play by the rules by being neutral as a bureaucrat and not allow himself to be politically entangled and used as a tool to undermine democracy and the Rule of Law.”
*Other political and civic voices join
The controversy has triggered wider political and civic condemnation.
The Labour Party (LP), through its National Publicity Secretary, Prince Tony Akeni, said the defiance of court rulings sent dangerous signals to investors and citizens alike:
“Foreign investors will never put their money in a country where even the legislature, the makers of law, openly defy the courts. By undermining her right to sit in the chamber, the Akpabio-led Senate undermines Nigeria itself.”
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), represented by its National Secretary, High Chief Peter Ameh, called the decision an “abuse of legislative power.”
“It is embarrassing that our democracy is being hijacked. To use the authority of the chamber to settle personal scores is a dangerous abuse of power and a setback for Nigeria’s democratic growth.”
Civil society groups have also raised alarms, recalling the earlier “We are all Natasha” campaign sparked by her sexual harassment allegations. Rights advocates said the current standoff fits into “a pattern of silencing female voices in Nigerian politics.”
A woman’s rights activist, Aisha Danladi, told reporters in Abuja, “This is no longer about Natasha alone; it is about whether women who speak up will be punished repeatedly until they are broken. The Senate must stop weaponising its rules against her.”
