The Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly has stated that it lacks the power to determine whether suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan can resume her legislative duties.
In a statement issued Monday in Abuja, Director of Information Mullah Bi-Allah, speaking on behalf of the Clerk’s office, explained that the office serves strictly as the legislature’s administrative arm and has no authority to overturn or review decisions made by the Senate.
“The Clerk does not possess the authority to review, reverse or interpret Senate decisions,” the statement read.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a first-time senator elected under the Peoples Democratic Party, was suspended for six months by the Senate on March 6, 2025. Her attempt to challenge the suspension at the Federal High Court was unsuccessful, and the matter remains pending before the Court of Appeal.
On September 4, she wrote to the Clerk notifying the office of her intention to resume. The Clerk clarified that such correspondence should be directed to the Senate President in line with parliamentary procedure.
According to the statement, the Clerk relayed her letter to the Senate leadership, who maintained that the case is still sub judice and that any change in her status would require either a fresh Senate resolution or a conclusive court order.
Bi-Allah also addressed a petition from the senator’s lawyers accusing the Clerk’s office of overreach, stressing that only the Senate has the authority to decide on her reinstatement.
Reaffirming its impartial stance, the Clerk’s office said it remains guided by “the principles of constitutionalism, institutional respect and the rule of law,” and urged the public to allow both the Senate and the judiciary to resolve the matter.
