Breaking: PDP Speaks Out as Senate Tells Natasha She Cannot Resume Yet Amid Rift With Akpabio
- The PDP urged Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to prepare to resume her duties in the senate
- The party condemned the attempt to bar Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming her role following her six-month suspension
- PDP accused the Senator Godswill Akpabio-led senate of trying to abridge the right of representation of Kogi Central people
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics, election, and governance in Nigeria.
FCT, Abuja - The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday, September 9, condemned the alleged moves to stop Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s resumption.
Legit.ng had reported how the senate rejected Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s request to return to legislative duties amid a rift with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Source: Facebook
PDP fumes over Natasha's ordeal
The crack has dominated headlines since March.
On Sunday, September 7, Victor Giwa, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, had told journalists that the Kogi federal lawmaker and PDP chieftain would be resuming with her colleagues on Tuesday, September 23.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended in March after the senate accused her of breaching its standing orders.
While the federal high court in Abuja upheld the suspension, she has since taken the matter to the appellate court.
In a letter signed by the acting clerk to the national assembly, Yahaya Danzaria, the senate acknowledged receiving the senator’s notice that she planned to resume, saying her suspension has ended. But the senate pointed out that her suspension began on March 6, 2025, remains in force until the court of appeal rules on the case she filed challenging the decision.
Reacting to the deadlock, the PDP, via a statement signed by Debo Ologunagba, its national spokesperson, charged Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to get ready to resume at the national assembly.
The party's statement, obtained by Legit.ng, reads:
"The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns in the strongest term possible, the attempt by the Clerk of the National Assembly to bar Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming at the Senate after the unjust six months suspension imposed on her by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
"This reported action by the Clerk of the National Assembly smacks of a calculated attempt being orchestrated by the Senator Akpabio-led All Progressives Congress (APC) Senate leadership to abridge the right of representation of the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District and deny them a voice at the highest law-making body in the country.
"The attempt to use the National Assembly establishment against an elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in gross violation of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 (as amended) and the Standing Rules of the Senate is highly provocative and constitutes a clear and present danger to democracy and overall stability of our country.
"It also comes as parts of the antics being deployed severally by the APC-controlled Senate and the Federal Government to suffocate the opposition which further confirms the creeping totalitarianism in our country under the APC government.
"The reported action by the Clerk of 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 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 statement added:
"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.
"Our Party strongly cautions the Clerk of 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.
"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.
"While charging Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to discountenance the reported letter by the Clerk of 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."
Read more about Natasha here:
- Natasha vs Akpabio: “Why Senate cannot recall Kogi lawmaker,” Lawyer explains
- Natasha vs Senate: Lawyer explains why Kogi senator can’t enforce court judgement
- Court grants Natasha bail on fresh charge
Armed security stops Natasha
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that tension erupted at the national assembly complex in Abuja after security operatives barred Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from entering the premises.
The lawmaker’s convoy arrived at the national assembly gate but was met with a heavy security presence.
Source: Legit.ng
