The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned efforts to prevent suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming her legislative duties, describing the development as an abuse of power and a direct assault on Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party accused the Senate leadership of “disregarding both legal precedent and moral obligation” by blocking the Kogi Central lawmaker from returning to the chamber after the completion of her six-month suspension.
Senator Natasha was suspended on March 6 for alleged insubordination, a decision that stripped her of her salary, aides, and access to office facilities. She maintains the suspension was politically motivated, following her petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio over alleged sexual harassment—an allegation the Senate dismissed.
Although a court ruling favoured her return, Senate leadership insisted that she must serve the full suspension. In July, security operatives barred her from entering the chamber, sparking protests. Her lawyer has confirmed plans for her to resume on September 23, but a September 4 letter from the Acting Clerk of the National Assembly reaffirmed the suspension pending an appeal.
Reacting, ADC said the Senate’s posture amounted to silencing dissent and undermining democratic values.
“The continued obstruction of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is not only malicious but also deeply injurious to the spirit of our constitutional democracy, especially the right to dissent,” Abdullahi said.
He stressed that since Natasha’s suspension was imposed by the Senate—not a court—it could not lawfully extend beyond the six-month period already served. “Any further attempt to prevent her resumption is both illegal and morally indefensible,” he added.
The ADC further argued that denying Natasha access to the chamber effectively silences the voice of her constituents. “The people of her constituency elected her to represent them. Blocking her return is by extension denying them the right to be heard,” the party noted.
The statement also criticised the Clerk of the National Assembly for refusing to process her resumption, accusing him of “administrative complicity” in a political matter.
Highlighting the gender dimension of the issue, the ADC warned that the treatment of Senator Natasha could further discourage women’s political participation. With only four female senators out of 109, Nigeria’s representation of women in parliament—just 2.7%—remains among the lowest in Africa.
“Any action that resembles gendered intimidation of the few women in the Senate would only worsen Nigeria’s already dismal record and weaken confidence in our democracy,” Abdullahi warned.
The party concluded by demanding that Senator Natasha be allowed to resume immediately, describing her continued exclusion as a dangerous precedent that undermines the rule of law.
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