PDP, SERAP, others tackle Senate over Natasha suspension, accuse Akpabio of silencing opposition

Fresh controversy has erupted at the National Assembly as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), and human rights lawyer Abdul Mahmud condemned moves by the Senate leadership to prevent Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) from resuming her seat despite the expiration of her six-month suspension.

The Senate, which resumes plenary on September 23 after a two-month recess, had on September 4 received a letter from Akpoti-Uduaghan notifying the leadership of her intention to return to the chamber. She was suspended on March 6, 2025, following a clash with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements.

But in a reply signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, the senator was informed that her suspension remained active and tied to a pending appeal before the Court of Appeal.

“The matter, therefore, remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded and the Senate formally reviews the suspension in light of the court’s pronouncement, no administrative action can be taken to facilitate your resumption,” the letter read in part.

PDP: “Plot to silence Kogi Central”

Reacting sharply, the PDP accused the Akpabio-led Senate leadership of attempting to gag opposition voices and deny the people of Kogi Central senatorial district their constitutional right to representation.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party said: “This reported action by the Clerk of the National Assembly smacks of a calculated attempt orchestrated by the APC-controlled Senate leadership to abridge the right of representation of the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District and deny them a voice at the highest law-making body in the country.”

The party described the move as a direct assault on democracy and a violation of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Senate Standing Rules.

“The attempt to use the National Assembly establishment against an elected senator is provocative and constitutes a direct assault on the rule of law and democratic governance,” it said, warning that the action also fits into a pattern of harassment of women in politics.

“The reported action against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan further brings to the fore the sustained attempts to stifle women’s voices, as seen in various allegations of harassment against the current Senate President over the years,” the PDP added.

Abdul Mahmud: “Suspension expired, appeal no excuse”

Supporting the opposition’s position, human rights lawyer and activist Abdul Mahmud argued that the Senate has no lawful basis to keep Akpoti-Uduaghan out of the chamber after the expiration of her suspension.

“The Senate cannot lawfully prevent Natasha from resuming after the expiration of her suspension, even if the matter is on appeal,” he said.

“Suspension is by its nature time-bound; once the specified period elapses, the sanction lapses automatically. Any attempt to extend or continue the punishment under the pretext of a pending appeal would amount to imposing a fresh sanction outside the powers already exercised.”

He stressed that “an appeal does not operate as a stay of execution. Therefore, the Senate cannot rely on a pending appeal as a shield to continue excluding the legislator beyond the suspension period. To do so would be tantamount to contempt of court and a violation of democratic norms.”

SERAP: “Travesty of justice must end”

Civil rights group SERAP also waded in, urging Akpabio and the Senate to immediately reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan and pay her outstanding salaries and allowances.

“There is no law in Nigeria that prevents the resumption of her legislative duties pending the hearing and determination of the case(s) in court. This travesty of justice must end,” the organisation said in a statement.

SERAP accused the Senate of hiding behind the pending appeal to perpetuate illegality, warning that continued exclusion of the lawmaker undermines Nigeria’s democratic institutions and international human rights obligations.

“No one should ever be punished for ‘speaking without permission’. Being a senator does not deprive Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan of her fundamental rights,” it added.

A flashpoint for democracy

The PDP called on the international community, democracy institutions, and human rights groups to speak out against what it described as “creeping totalitarianism” under the APC-led government.

It further charged Akpoti-Uduaghan to ignore the letter from the Clerk and resume her duties, insisting that she cannot be lawfully barred from the chamber.

“The Senate leadership must allow her to perform her roles as an elected senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria unhindered,” the opposition party said.

With the legal and political battle intensifying, the Senate’s September 23 resumption could turn into a major flashpoint for Nigeria’s democracy, testing the balance between legislative authority, judicial oversight, and constitutional rights of representation.