The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vehemently condemned the National Assembly's decision to prevent Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming her legislative duties following the expiration of her six-month suspension. The party's strong reaction comes after the National Assembly establishment cited a pending case at the Court of Appeal as the reason for denying her re-entry, a move the PDP describes as a "further breach" of the rights of her constituents.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a PDP member representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District, was initially suspended by the Senate on March 6, 2025. The suspension was reportedly based on allegations of misconduct and a breach of the Senate's rules concerning seat allocation. During her period of suspension, the Senator also leveled serious sexual harassment allegations against the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. However, these claims were subsequently dismissed by the Senate Committee on Ethics after an investigation.

With her six-month suspension period concluding, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, through a letter dated August 28, 2025, informed the Clerk to the National Assembly of her intention to resume duties immediately upon the suspension's expiry on September 4, 2025. In response, the Acting Clerk, Mr. Yahaya Danzaria, issued a letter dated September 4, cautioning the lawmaker that the matter pertaining to her suspension was "sub judice," meaning it was presently before the Court of Appeal. The Clerk's letter stated that "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 by this office to facilitate your resumption," adding that she would be duly notified when her resumption could be facilitated.

The PDP, however, strongly rejected this position, characterizing the National Assembly's action as a "calculated attempt orchestrated by the Senator Akpabio-led All Progressives Congress (APC) Senate leadership to abridge the right of representation of the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District and deny them a voice." Honourable Debo Ologunagba, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, issued a statement on Tuesday, further asserting that this development was "highly provocative and constitutes a clear and present danger to democracy and the overall stability of our country." He also suggested it was part of "antics repeatedly deployed by the APC-controlled Senate and the Federal Government to suffocate the opposition, further confirming the creeping totalitarianism in our country."

Moreover, the PDP linked the denial of resumption to broader allegations of attacks on women's rights and efforts to stifle their voices, referencing various accusations of harassment previously made against Senator Akpabio. The party demanded that Senator Akpabio address these allegations transparently rather than, as they claimed, using the National Assembly establishment to "further harass, intimidate, and keep Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan away from the Senate."

The party also issued a stern caution to the Clerk of the National Assembly, urging him to withdraw the letter and uphold neutrality as a bureaucrat, rather than being "politically entangled and used as a tool to undermine democracy and the rule of law." The PDP called on the international community, democratic institutions, rights advocacy groups, and other democracy development partners to condemn this "unwarranted renewed attack." Finally, the PDP charged Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to disregard the Clerk's letter and prepare for her resumption, demanding that the Senate leadership ensure she is allowed to perform her duties as an elected Senator without hindrance.