By Rejoice Peterside
The Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly has distanced itself from claims of overreach in the ongoing controversy surrounding the suspension and attempted resumption of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Clerk’s office said its role remains purely administrative and does not extend to reviewing or reversing decisions of the Senate.
The clarification followed widespread media reports and a letter from Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, M.J. Numa & Partners LLP, accusing the Clerk of obstructing her return to legislative duties.
According to the Clerk’s office, the Senate had on March 6, 2025, passed a resolution suspending Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months. Although she challenged the action in court, the Federal High Court did not nullify the resolution, and no binding order has since been issued to overturn it.
On September 4, 2025, the Senator formally notified the Clerk of her intention to resume legislative duties. The office said it duly relayed the communication to the Senate leadership.
However, the Senate maintained that the matter remains before the Court of Appeal and therefore sub judice, adding that any change in status must come either through a fresh Senate resolution or a definitive court order.
“The Clerk is therefore not in a position to facilitate her resumption at this time,” the statement stressed, noting that the letter sent to her lawyers was a reflection of that position and nothing more.
The office expressed dismay at threats of legal and disciplinary action from the Senator’s counsel, insisting that it has at all times acted strictly within lawful administrative limits and in compliance with due process.
“It must be emphasized that the determination of whether Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan can resume her legislative duties as of right without any further or fresh resolution of the Senate following the expiration of her six months suspension lies solely with the Senate and not with the Office of the Clerk,” the statement added.
Reiterating its commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law, the Clerk’s office urged the public to remain patient and allow the Senate and the courts to discharge their constitutional responsibilities on the matter.
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