The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a fiery directive to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, calling on her to “get ready to resume” her duties in the Senate despite efforts by the upper chamber to block her return.
This comes just hours after the Senate blocked Natasha, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District of Kogi State at the Senate, from returning to the Red Chamber on Tuesday, citing ongoing court proceedings over her six-month suspension.
However, the PDP in a statement, issued by National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, condemned the move by Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Yahaya Danzaria, as a “calculated attempt” allegedly orchestrated by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership to undermine democratic representation.
The statement reads in part: “The PDP calls on the international community, democracy institutions, right advocacy groups, and other democracy development partners to rise in condemnation of this renewed attack on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“The PDP demands that the Senate leadership ensure 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 New Diplomat reports that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension began on March 6, 2025, following a dramatic confrontation with Akpabio during Senate proceedings.
The incident stemmed from a dispute over seat allocation. Natasha had refused to relocate from her designated position, accusing the President of the Senate of alleged discriminatory practices aimed at silencing her voice.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions subsequently deemed her actions as “insubordination” and “unruly conduct,” recommending a penalty, which included suspension, withdrawal of her aides, office access, salary, and security detail.
The suspension quickly escalated into a huge controversy when Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that her suspension had to do with an earlier allegation she had made against Akpabio over alleged sexual harassment—a claim the Senate dismissed as unsubstantiated.
