The National Assembly has clarified its position in the controversy surrounding the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, insisting that it has played no role beyond administrative duties.
In a statement signed on Monday by Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, Director of Information in the Office of the Clerk, the institution stressed that the Clerk is not empowered to reverse or interpret Senate resolutions. It explained that the responsibility of the Clerk is limited to implementing the decisions of the Upper Chamber in accordance with the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended for six months on March 6, 2025, following accusations of misconduct during plenary. She challenged the decision in court, but the Federal High Court did not overturn the suspension or issue an order for her reinstatement.
After the expiration of the suspension, the Senator wrote to the Clerk on September 4, 2025, notifying the office of her intention to return to the Red Chamber. The correspondence was duly forwarded to Senate leadership.
However, the leadership maintained that since the case is still before the Court of Appeal, her resumption would require either a fresh Senate resolution or a ruling from the appellate court.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyers, M.J. Numa & Partners LLP, accused the Clerk’s office of overstepping its mandate and threatened legal action. The Clerk dismissed the claims, reiterating that the office has acted strictly within the law.
“The decision on when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan can resume lies with the Senate, not the Clerk,” the statement emphasized.
The National Assembly urged the public to remain calm and allow both the judiciary and the Senate to discharge their constitutional roles without undue interference.
