(DDM) – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the leadership of the Senate over moves to prevent Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) from resuming legislative duties despite the expiration of her six-month suspension.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Natasha, who was suspended in March 2025 following a clash with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, had written to the National Assembly on September 4, notifying them of her intention to resume when plenary reconvenes on September 23.
However, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, replied that her suspension remained active because the matter was still pending at the Court of Appeal.
According to the letter, the Senate cannot take administrative action to facilitate her return until the judiciary delivers a final ruling.
The correspondence further noted that Natasha would be duly informed of the Senate’s position once the appeal court concludes the case.
This position has angered the PDP, which accused Senate President Akpabio and the APC-led Senate leadership of deliberately attempting to silence an opposition voice from Kogi Central.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP argued that the move violates the 1999 Constitution and the Standing Rules of the Senate.
The party said the decision amounted to denying the people of Kogi Central their right to representation in the highest lawmaking chamber of the country.
It described the Clerk’s letter as part of a broader plan by the APC to weaken the opposition and suffocate democracy.
According to the PDP, the refusal to reinstate Natasha reflects “creeping totalitarianism” under the APC government.
The opposition party linked the action to what it termed “a wider campaign of intimidation” against women in politics.
It recalled that Akpabio had faced past allegations of harassment of women and argued that Natasha’s ordeal fits into a disturbing pattern.
The PDP charged Akpabio to address those allegations directly instead of allegedly weaponising the Senate’s administrative structures to silence female voices.
It further described Natasha’s six-month suspension as unjust and excessive, insisting that blocking her return after serving her punishment amounted to a fresh assault on democracy.
The party also warned the Clerk of the National Assembly to remain neutral and not allow himself to be used as a tool in political battles.
It urged international partners, human rights organisations, and democracy institutions to take note of what it described as attempts to silence opposition lawmakers in Nigeria.
The PDP encouraged Natasha to disregard the Clerk’s letter and prepare to resume her duties without intimidation.
Observers note that Natasha’s case has become symbolic of a broader struggle between the opposition and the ruling APC in the Senate.
The lawmaker, who represents Kogi Central, has been vocal on transparency, resource management, and legislative independence since joining the Red Chamber in 2023.
Her suspension on March 6, 2025, stemmed from a heated confrontation with Akpabio during plenary, which escalated into a wider political battle.
A Federal High Court ruling had earlier upheld the Senate’s right to suspend her, but Natasha filed an appeal to challenge what she described as abuse of legislative privilege.
Legal experts argue that the continued enforcement of her suspension despite the expiration date raises questions about separation of powers and respect for the rule of law.
The matter has now placed the Senate leadership under scrutiny as Nigerians await the Court of Appeal’s decision.
For the PDP, the controversy has provided another rallying point to accuse the APC of using state institutions to suppress dissent and opposition influence.
As the Senate resumes from recess on September 23, the standoff over Natasha’s seat is expected to dominate political discourse in the coming weeks.
The PDP insists that allowing her resumption is not just a matter of law but also a test of Nigeria’s commitment to democratic values.