Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan must return to senate, PDP insists as senate leadership play hardball

By Kingston Magare 9.9.2025
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return to the National Assembly from where she was banished six months ago by the Senator Godswill Akpabio led senate, she seems to have run into traffic.
The Kogi Central representative notified the senate of her intention to return on September 23, but the acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria informed her in a letter that her suspension remained in force till the court of appeal ruled on a suit she had filed against her suspension.
“The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded, no administrative action can be taken to facilitate your resumption,” the letter stated.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, waded into the matter Tuesday urging Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, to prepare to resume her duties in the Senate.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party condemned the attempt by the Clerk of the National Assembly to bar Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming her duties.
“The PDP calls on the international community, democracy institutions, right advocacy groups and other democracy development partners to rise up in condemnation of this renewed attack on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“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 added.
On Sunday, Victor Giwa, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, had told journalists that the Kogi lawmaker would be resuming with her colleagues on September 23.
“Actually, she’s ready to resume her term. She’s in London. Everything is in place, and the six months have expired. The only thing left is her resumption,” Giwa said.
“We have been told that even the leadership of the Senate is ready to welcome her. So that’s the situation at the moment. There is no obstacle at all,” he said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended after she had a fall out with the Senate president over sitting arrangements in the senate. She latter accused Akpabia of sexual harassment and was subsequently suspended… a decision she had challenged at a Federal High Court.