By Joy Odor-Abuja
In a dramatic turn of events surrounding the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly has issued a firm response to mounting media frenzy and legal threats following the senator’s attempt to return to her legislative duties.
The Senator’s six-month suspension, imposed by the Senate on March 6, 2025, has become the center of a political storm.
The Senate’s decision was challenged in court but upheld by the Federal High Court, which found no grounds to invalidate the resolution.
However, with Akpoti-Uduaghan now seeking to resume her role, the matter remains contentious, especially with the Court of Appeal still reviewing the case.
In a release issued on Monday, the Clerk’s office clarified its limited role in the matter.
“The Clerk’s office is strictly an administrative arm and has no authority to alter or interpret Senate resolutions,” the statement read. “We act in full compliance with the Senate’s resolutions, the Constitution, and Standing Orders of the National Assembly. Our function is purely supportive of the Senate’s will.”
On September 4, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal representatives wrote to the Clerk’s office, requesting her reinstatement.
However, the Clerk’s office promptly forwarded the request to the Senate leadership, reaffirming that any change in her suspension status must come from either a new Senate resolution or a binding court order, not from the Clerk’s office.
“This office is not in a position to facilitate her resumption at this time,” the statement emphasized.
The response comes after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, M. J. Numa & Partners L.LP, accused the Clerk’s office of overstepping its bounds and threatened legal action.
The lawyers argue that the Clerk is improperly obstructing the senator’s return.
In its reply, the Clerk’s office reiterated its commitment to acting within “lawful administrative limits” and assured the public that it had adhered strictly to due process.
“The determination of whether Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan can resume her duties lies solely with the Senate, not with this office,” the statement further clarified.
This high-stakes clash highlights the power struggle between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Nigerian government.
With Akpoti-Uduaghan’s fate now in the hands of both the Senate and the courts, the public has been urged to remain patient and allow the proper legal channels to play out.
“The Office of the Clerk remains steadfast in its adherence to constitutionalism and the rule of law,” the statement concluded. “We will continue to respect the constitutional processes and urge the public to allow the institutions to carry out their responsibilities.”
As the Court of Appeal prepares to deliberate further, all eyes are now on the Senate, which holds the final say on whether the suspended senator will return to the floor of the National Assembly.
