The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central to ignore any attempt by the National Assembly management to stop her from resuming legislative duties, stressing that she has already served her suspension.
In a statement on Tuesday, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, advised Akpoti-Uduaghan to prepare to take her seat once the Senate reconvenes from its annual recess on 23 September.
“While charging Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to discountenance the reported letter by the Clerk to the National Assembly and get ready to resume at the Senate, the PDP demands that the Senate leadership ensures that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is allowed to resume her duties and perform her roles as an elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria unhindered,” the statement reads.
The PDP’s response follows a letter from Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Yahaya Danzaria, which informed Akpoti-Uduaghan that she could not resume because her suspension remains a subject of litigation. According to the letter, her return can only happen after a Senate review or the conclusion of the court process.
Earlier, the senator had written to the National Assembly, indicating her readiness to return after the expiration of her six-month suspension. However, she has not responded publicly since the clerk’s letter surfaced, leaving uncertainty over whether she will defy the directive.
Attack on women’s rights
The PDP strongly condemned the National Assembly’s stance, describing it as an affront to women’s rights.
“The reported action by the Clerk to the National Assembly against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan further brings to the fore the allegations of attacks on the right of women and sustained attempts to stifle their voices as witnessed in the various accusations of harassment against women levelled against the current Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio over the years,” the statement said.
The party further called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to address the allegations against him rather than allegedly using the National Assembly to intimidate Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“The PDP demands that the Senate President should come clean on the various allegations instead of seeking to use the National Assembly establishment to further harass, intimidate and keep Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan away from the Senate.”
The opposition party also criticised the six-month suspension imposed on the senator, describing it as unjust and inconsistent with Senate rules.
“The extreme persecution of six months suspension unjustly imposed on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, contrary to the Rules of the Senate is more than enough and the PDP stands with the people of Kogi Central and all well-meaning Nigerians in condemning this unwarranted renewed attack on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.”
Caution to CNA
The PDP further warned the Clerk to the National Assembly to retract his letter in order to protect Nigeria’s democracy.
“Our party strongly cautions the Clerk to the National Assembly to withdraw the said letter and play by the rules by being neutral as a bureaucrat and not allow himself to be politically entangled and used as a tool to undermine democracy and the Rule of Law in the National Assembly and Nigeria.”
Finally, the PDP appealed to the international community, democratic institutions, advocacy groups, and partners in democratic development to speak out against the alleged intimidation of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.