The Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly has clarified its role in the suspension saga involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, insisting that it has no authority to interfere in Senate decisions or facilitate her resumption.
In a statement signed by Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, the Director of Information, for the Clerk to the National Assembly, the office said its attention had been drawn to “widespread media reports and public commentary concerning the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, her attempt to resume legislative duties, and the subsequent correspondence from her legal representatives, M. J. Numa & Partners LLP.”
According to the release, the Clerk’s office serves strictly as an administrative body and not a decision-making authority.
The statement read in part, “The Clerk’s Office serves strictly as an administrative arm, providing support to the Senate in accordance with their resolutions, Standing Orders, and the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“The Clerk does not possess the authority to review, reverse, or interpret Senate decisions.”
The Senate had, on March 6, 2025, passed a resolution suspending Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months.
While the decision was challenged in court, the Clerk noted that, “Though the matter was challenged in Court, the Federal High Court did not invalidate the Senate’s resolution, and no binding order has been issued to reverse or modify the suspension.”
On September 4, 2025, the senator wrote to the Clerk expressing her intention to resume legislative duties.
The office acknowledged receiving the communication and forwarding it to Senate leadership, which insisted that the matter remains unresolved.
“In response, this office conveyed same to the Senate leadership, who noted that the matter remains before the Court of Appeal (sub judice), and that any change in status must either come from a fresh Senate resolution or a definitive court order,” the statement explained.
The Clerk stressed that its communication was neutral and procedural.
“This communication was what the Clerk to the National Assembly conveyed in the letter, no more, no less.
“The Clerk is therefore not in a position to facilitate her resumption at this time.”
However, the office expressed disappointment over a letter it received from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyers accusing the Clerk of overreach.
“To our dismay, the Office of the Clerk received a letter from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal representatives, accusing this office of overreach and threatening legal and disciplinary action,” the statement noted.
“While the office respects the right of all parties to seek legal redress, it must be stressed that the Clerk has at all times acted within lawful administrative limits, and in faithful observance of due process.”
Reiterating that the matter is not for the Clerk to decide, the emphasis is placed on
“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 to the National Assembly.”
The Clerk’s office concluded by restating its commitment to upholding the rule of law and due process.
“The Office of the Clerk remains guided by the principles of constitutionalism, institutional respect and the rule of law.
“The public is urged to remain patient and allow the appropriate institutions, including the Senate and the courts to discharge their constitutional responsibilities.”
