Abuja, Nigeria –
The Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly has denied involvement in preventing suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, from resuming legislative duties, insisting that the matter rests solely with the Senate and the courts.
In a statement issued Monday in Abuja, the Director of Information, Mullah Bi-Allah, clarified that the Clerk’s office functions purely as an administrative arm of the legislature and lacks authority to review or overturn resolutions passed by the Senate.
“The Clerk does not possess the authority to review, reverse, or interpret Senate decisions,” the statement emphasized.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was suspended on March 6, 2025, following a Senate resolution barring her from legislative activities for six months. Though she challenged the suspension in court, the Federal High Court upheld the decision, and the case is currently before the Court of Appeal.
On September 4, the lawmaker wrote to the Clerk of the National Assembly indicating her intention to resume. However, the Clerk’s office explained that such communication should be directed to the Senate President in line with parliamentary procedure.
According to the statement, the Clerk simply conveyed the issue to Senate leadership, who noted that the matter remains sub judice at the Court of Appeal. The Senate further maintained that any change in status would require either a fresh resolution or a binding court order.
“This communication was what the Clerk conveyed in the letter, no more, no less. The Clerk is, therefore, not in a position to facilitate her resumption at this time,” the office clarified.
The Clerk’s office also expressed concern over a petition filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyers, M. J. Numa & Partners LLP, alleging overreach and threatening disciplinary measures.
Responding, Bi-Allah stressed that determining whether Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan may resume duties lies exclusively with the Senate:
“The determination of whether Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan can resume her legislative duties as of right, without a fresh resolution of the Senate following the expiration of her suspension, lies solely with the Senate and not with the Clerk to the National Assembly.”
Reaffirming its impartiality, the Clerk’s office stated it remains committed to “the principles of constitutionalism, institutional respect, and the rule of law,” and urged the public to allow due process to take its course.
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