The Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly has rejected claims that it has the power to unblock suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a statement on Monday in Abuja, Director of Information Mullah Bi-Allah clarified that the Clerk’s office serves only as an administrative arm of the legislature and cannot review or reverse Senate resolutions.
The Clerk does not possess the authority to review, reverse or interpret Senate decisions, Bi-Allah said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a first-time senator on the Peoples Democratic Party platform, was suspended on March 6, 2025, for six months. Though she challenged the suspension in court, the Federal High Court did not overturn the Senate’s decision, and the matter is now before the Court of Appeal.
On September 4, the lawmaker wrote to the Clerk, notifying the office of her intention to resume duties. The Clerk responded that such communication must be directed to the Senate President, in line with parliamentary procedure.
This office conveyed the same to the Senate leadership, who noted that the matter remains before the Court of Appeal (sub judice), and that any change in status must either come from a fresh Senate resolution or a definitive court order, the statement read.
Bi-Allah also addressed a petition from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyers accusing the Clerk’s office of overreach, stressing: Determining whether Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan can resume her legislative duties lies solely with the Senate and not with the office of the Clerk to the National Assembly.
The statement reaffirmed the Clerk’s commitment to constitutional principles, institutional respect, and the rule of law, urging the public to allow both the Senate and the courts to resolve the matter.
