The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamorudeen Ogunlana, says his office has no authority to reinstate the suspended senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to her legislative duties.
This clarification was made in a statement released on Monday by the Director of Information, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, on behalf of the clerk.
It followed reports that Akpoti-Uduaghan had attempted to resume her role in the Senate after a six-month suspension.
Bi-Allah noted that while Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team had submitted a petition and accused the clerk of overreach, the clerk’s office is strictly an administrative arm and cannot review, reverse, or interpret decisions made by the Senate.
“The Clerk does not possess the authority to review, reverse or interpret Senate decisions,” the statement said.
The Senate suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan on March 6, 2025, citing gross misconduct. Although the decision has been legally challenged, the Federal High Court has not issued any order overturning the suspension.
The matter is currently before the Court of Appeal.
According to Bi-Allah, Akpoti-Uduaghan wrote to the clerk’s office on September 4, indicating her intention to return to the Senate.
While she could have addressed the letter directly to the Senate President, the clerk’s office forwarded it to the chamber’s leadership.
The Senate leadership responded, noting that the matter remains sub judice and that only the Senate, not the Clerk, has the constitutional power to decide on her resumption.
“Whether Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan can resume her legislative duties… lies solely with the Senate,” the statement emphasized.
The Clerk’s office also rejected claims of misconduct, asserting that all its actions were in line with due process, institutional protocol, and the rule of law.
“The Office of the Clerk remains guided by the principles of constitutionalism, institutional respect and the rule of law,” Bi-Allah stated.
The public was urged to allow the appropriate bodies, namely the Senate and the courts, to handle the matter through the proper legal channels.
