…Natasha was suspended in March following a heated exchange with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticised what it describes as a deliberate move by the National Assembly to prevent Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming legislative duties, following the end of her six-month suspension from the Senate.
The PDP, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described the development as “provocative” and “a direct threat to democracy and constitutional order in Nigeria.”
Natasha Akpoti, senator representing Kogi Central was suspended in March following a heated exchange with Senate President Godswill Akpabio regarding the Senate’s seating arrangement. The face-off quickly escalated, with Akpoti-Uduaghan accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment and challenging her suspension in court.
Despite the expiration of the six-month suspension, the National Assembly management, in a letter signed by Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr Yahaya Danzaria, has asked senator Natasha Akpoti not to resume pending the outcome of a case currently 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,” the letter read. “You will be duly notified of the Senate’s decision on the matter as soon as it is resolved.”
But the PDP has condemned the directive, insisting that it violates the Nigerian Constitution and the Senate’s own Standing Rules.
“This attempt to use the National Assembly establishment against an elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a gross violation of the Constitution and a clear and present danger to our democracy,” the PDP said.
The opposition party accused the APC-led Senate of orchestrating the move to “suffocate the opposition,” describing the situation as evidence of “creeping totalitarianism” under the current administration.
It further alleged that the continued exclusion of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan reflects a wider pattern of institutional harassment against women, referencing past allegations of misconduct against Senate President Akpabio.
“The PDP demands that the Senate President come clean on the various allegations against him, instead of weaponising the National Assembly to intimidate Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan,” the statement continued.
Calling the six-month suspension “extreme persecution,” the PDP maintained that the senator had served her term and should be allowed to resume her duties.
“The unjust suspension is more than enough,” the party said. “We stand firmly with the people of Kogi Central and all well-meaning Nigerians in rejecting this renewed attack on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.”
The PDP also called on the international community, civil society organisations, and democratic institutions to closely monitor what it described as “a renewed assault on opposition voices and democratic freedoms in Nigeria.”
