Dare Babalola
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has kicked against the move by the Senate to stop the resumption of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan after the completion of her six-month suspension.
Recall that in a letter issued by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, dated September 4, 2025, the Red Chamber stated that her six-month suspension remains in force pending the outcome of a Court of Appeal case instituted against the Senate by Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Reacting to the development, the PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Tuesday, described the move as a danger to democracy, noting that it could threaten the country’s stability.
He wrote, “The attempt to use the National Assembly establishment against an elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in gross violation of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 (as amended) and the Standing Rules of the Senate is highly provocative and constitutes a clear and present danger to democracy and overall stability of our country.
“It also comes as parts of the antics being deployed severally by the APC-controlled Senate and the Federal Government to suffocate the opposition which further confirms the creeping totalitarianism in our country under the APC government.
“The reported action by the Clerk of 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.”
Furthermore, the spokesperson said, “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.”
The party said the six-month “unjustly imposed” suspension against the lawmaker is enough “persecution”, adding that the “PDP stands with the people of Kogi Central and all well-meaning Nigerians in condemning this unwarranted renewed attack on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan”.
He continued, “Our Party strongly cautions the Clerk of 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 calls on the International Community, Democracy Institutions, Right Advocacy Groups and other democracy development partners to rise up in condemnation of this renewed attack on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.”
