The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned what it described as an “unconstitutional” attempt by the Senate leadership to prevent Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming her legislative duties after serving a six-month suspension.
In a statement issued Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the opposition party accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Senate of orchestrating a plot to deny the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District their rightful representation.
“This reported action smacks of a calculated attempt by the Akpabio-led APC Senate leadership to abridge the rights of the people of Kogi Central and silence their voice in the National Assembly,” Ologunagba said.
The PDP described the development as a “gross violation” of the 1999 Constitution and the Senate’s Standing Rules, warning that it posed a “clear and present danger” to democracy and national stability.
The party further alleged that the move was part of a broader agenda by the APC to “suffocate opposition voices” and accused the Senate of engaging in “gender-based intimidation” against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The PDP insisted that the senator had already served her punishment and should be allowed to return. “The extreme persecution of a six-month suspension, unjustly imposed contrary to Senate rules, is more than enough,” Ologunagba stressed.
The party also cautioned the Clerk of the National Assembly, Yahaya Danzaria, to stay neutral and withdraw his letter barring the lawmaker’s return. “He must not allow himself to be politically entangled or used as a tool to undermine democracy and the rule of law,” the statement warned.
Calling on the international community and rights groups to intervene, the PDP urged Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to “discountenance the reported letter” and resume her duties unhindered.
Senate Stands Its Ground
Meanwhile, the Senate leadership insists the lawmaker’s suspension remains in effect. In a letter dated September 4, 2025, Acting Clerk Danzaria told Akpoti-Uduaghan that her matter was still before the Court of Appeal, making it sub judice.
“Until the judicial process is concluded, no administrative action can be taken to facilitate your resumption,” the letter read.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions had recommended her suspension on March 6, 2025, citing insubordination after she resisted a change of her designated seat. The suspension also stripped her of salaries, aides, and office privileges.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has consistently argued that her suspension was politically motivated, linking it to her petition accusing Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment an allegation dismissed by the chamber.
She challenged the suspension in court and has claimed to have secured a judgment in her favour.
Her earlier attempt to return in July ended in a tense standoff, with security operatives blocking her entry despite crowds of supporters rallying outside the National Assembly.
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