PDP, Senior Lawyers Condemn Senate Over Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension Extension

The suspension saga of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan took a dramatic turn on Tuesday as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and several Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) faulted the Senate’s decision to stop her from resuming when the chamber reconvenes on September 23.

In a letter dated September 4, Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr Yahaya Danzaria, informed Akpoti-Uduaghan that her six-month suspension, imposed on March 6, remains in force until the Court of Appeal delivers judgment on her suit against the Senate. “The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded, no administrative action can be taken to facilitate your resumption. You will be duly notified of the Senate decision on the matter as soon as it is resolved,” the letter read.

The notice crushed the hopes of the Kogi Central senator, who according to her lawyer Victor Giwa, had begun preparations to rejoin her colleagues after serving the six-month penalty. Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended following a report of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which accused her of insubordination for refusing to vacate her assigned seat during plenary. The decision also stripped her of salaries, aides and office privileges.

The senator has long maintained her suspension was politically driven, linking it to a petition she filed against Senate President Godswill Akpabio alleging sexual harassment—an accusation the Senate dismissed. Though she announced in April that a court judgment favoured her, Senate leadership insisted she must remain suspended for the full term. In July, her attempt to return ended in a standoff when security operatives blocked her entry despite protests from supporters.

Reacting to the fresh letter, the PDP described the action as an attempt by the APC-led Senate to silence opposition and deny the people of Kogi Central their constitutional representation. National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba said, “Using the National Assembly establishment against an elected senator in violation of the Constitution and Standing Rules is provocative and dangerous for democracy.” The party also alleged a broader pattern of “creeping totalitarianism” under the APC government and called for immediate withdrawal of the letter.

Senior lawyers have also condemned the move. Adedayo Adedeji (SAN) argued that having served the six months, Akpoti-Uduaghan should be allowed to resume, stressing that Section 68 of the Constitution guarantees representation and a temporary suspension must not deny constituents their rights. He cited Justice Binta Nyako’s caution that long suspensions undermine democracy.

Similarly, Wale Balogun (SAN) said the Senate was wrong to extend her suspension by linking it to pending litigation, warning that Natasha cannot be kept out indefinitely. Paul Obi (SAN) described the move as “overreaching and an overkill” while Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) insisted that preventing her return beyond the prescribed term has no constitutional backing.

For now, the controversy remains unresolved as PDP and legal experts intensify calls for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reinstatement, framing the matter as a test of Nigeria’s democracy and constitutional order.