The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vehemently denounced an alleged maneuver by the Clerk of the National Assembly, acting in concert with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to obstruct Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return to the Senate. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, had previously served a six-month suspension imposed by the Senate. The PDP, in a strongly worded statement, characterized this latest action as a flagrant breach of the 1999 Constitution and the Senate’s standing rules, highlighting the gravity of utilizing the National Assembly’s apparatus against a duly elected representative. The party further argued that this act constituted a dangerous precedent, undermining democratic principles and the nation’s stability.
The genesis of this controversy lies in Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension on March 6, 2025, following a Senate committee report accusing her of insubordination for refusing to vacate her assigned seat. The suspension entailed the loss of her salary, aides, and office privileges. However, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has consistently maintained that the suspension was politically motivated, linking it to a sexual harassment petition she filed against Senate President Akpabio – a charge dismissed by the Senate. Subsequently, she challenged the suspension in court and obtained a favorable judgment, but the Senate leadership remained insistent on her serving the full six-month penalty, culminating in a dramatic standoff in July when security personnel barred her from entering the Senate chamber, sparking protests from her supporters.
Despite these obstacles, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, through her lawyer Victor Giwa, expressed her intention to resume her senatorial duties upon the Senate’s reconvening on September 23. However, a letter dated September 4, from the Acting Clerk of the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, reiterated that her suspension remained in effect pending a Court of Appeal judgment. This action further fueled the PDP’s condemnation, with the party interpreting it as a calculated tactic by the APC-led Senate and Federal Government to suppress opposition voices and consolidate power.
The PDP’s statement underscored several key concerns. Firstly, it accused the Clerk of the National Assembly of actively participating in a scheme orchestrated by the Senate President to disenfranchise the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District. Secondly, it highlighted the potential for such actions to erode democratic norms and destabilize the country. Thirdly, it drew attention to a pattern of alleged attacks on women’s rights within the Senate, particularly referencing previous allegations of harassment against Senator Akpabio. The PDP demanded that the Senate President address these accusations directly rather than resorting to intimidation tactics against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Furthermore, the PDP expressed its unwavering support for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the people of Kogi Central, urging the Clerk of the National Assembly to rescind his letter and maintain impartiality as a bureaucrat. The party called on the Senate leadership to ensure Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s unhindered resumption of her duties. The statement also appealed to the international community, democratic institutions, human rights organizations, and development partners to condemn the continued targeting of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The PDP’s statement concluded by urging Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to disregard the Clerk’s letter and prepare to return to the Senate, while simultaneously demanding that the Senate leadership guarantee her unhindered resumption of duties. The party framed the entire episode as a blatant attempt to silence opposition and curtail democratic processes, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law and respecting the rights of elected representatives. The PDP’s strong stance signals a determination to challenge these perceived abuses of power and defend the principles of democracy within the Nigerian political landscape.
