The office of the Clerk to the National Assembly has said it does not have the authority to reinstate Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended senator representing Kogi Central, to her legislative duties.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement on Monday, Bullah Bi-Allah, Director of Information in the clerk’s office, addressed media reports and public debates surrounding the senator’s suspension, her attempt to resume duties, and a petition filed by her lawyers, M. J. Numa & Partners LLP.
Bi-Allah explained that the clerk’s office functions solely as an administrative arm, providing support to the Senate in line with its resolutions, standing orders, and the 1999 Constitution.
“The clerk has no powers to review, reverse, or interpret decisions of the Senate,” he said.
On March 6, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over alleged “gross misconduct.” While she challenged the decision in court, Bi-Allah noted that the Federal High Court did not overturn the suspension, and no binding order has been issued to alter the Senate’s resolution.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had notified the clerk’s office of her intention to resume on September 4. However, the correspondence was forwarded to Senate leadership, which pointed out that the case is still before the Court of Appeal. According to Bi-Allah, the Senate leadership insisted that her return would require either a fresh resolution or a clear court order.
“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,” the statement added.
Bi-Allah further expressed concern over a letter from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyers accusing the clerk of overreach and threatening legal and disciplinary action. He stressed that the clerk has consistently acted within lawful limits and due process.
He reaffirmed that the authority to determine the senator’s return rests solely with the Senate or the courts, not the clerk’s office.
“The clerk remains guided by the principles of constitutionalism, institutional respect, and the rule of law,” Bi-Allah said, urging the public to allow the Senate and the judiciary to handle the matter.
