The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to ignore any attempt by the National Assembly management to stop her from returning to legislative duties, noting that she has already completed her suspension.
In a statement on Tuesday, National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, advised Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan to prepare to take her seat when the Senate reconvenes on 23 September.
“While charging Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to discountenance the reported letter by the Clerk to 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,” the statement reads.
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The reaction came after Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Yahaya Danzaria, wrote to Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan stating that she could not resume because her suspension is still under litigation, and that her return must await either a Senate review or the conclusion of the court process.
The senator had earlier notified the National Assembly of her intention to return after serving her six-month suspension but has not reacted publicly since the clerk’s letter surfaced, raising uncertainty about whether she will challenge the directive.
The PDP criticized the National Assembly’s stance, calling it an attack on women’s rights.
“The reported action by the Clerk to 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 statement said.
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The party asked Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to respond to the allegations against him rather than use the National Assembly to intimidate Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“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.”
It also condemned the six-month suspension handed down to the senator, describing it as excessive, unfair, and inconsistent with Senate rules.
“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.”
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The opposition party further advised the Clerk to the National Assembly to retract his letter in order to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.
“Our party strongly cautions the Clerk to 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 also appealed to the international community, democratic institutions, rights groups, and partners in governance to denounce the alleged intimidation of Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan.
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