ADC Condemns Continued Obstruction Of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Declares Senate Actions A Blatant Assault On Nigeria’s Democracy

 

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a strongly worded rebuke against the Senate’s refusal to allow Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan back into the Red Chamber after serving her six-month suspension. The party declared that any further obstruction of her resumption is illegal, abusive, and a direct threat to Nigeria’s democratic principles.

According to a statement released on Wednesday by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC accused the Senate leadership of trampling on the will of the people of Kogi Central. Abdullahi stressed that Natasha’s suspension, whether one supported it or not, has fully lapsed, therefore any delay in reinstating her is indefensible both in law and morality.

The statement explained that the Senate had no constitutional authority to extend her punishment beyond the period already served. “The suspension of Senator Natasha was imposed internally by the Senate and not by a court of law. Now that the tenure of that decision has expired, continuing to deny her access to her mandate amounts to abuse of power and outright illegality,” Abdullahi stated.

ADC argued that the matter transcends the fate of one senator, pointing instead to the dangerous precedent it creates. The party expressed fears that if unchecked, this pattern could open the door for elected representatives to be arbitrarily silenced at the whim of political leaders, regardless of the mandate given by their constituents.

“Democratic representation belongs to the people, not a select few individuals who may feel uncomfortable with the voices raised in opposition. This issue is not about partisan politics. It is about defending the sanctity of democratic institutions and protecting the rights of every voter in Kogi Central,” the statement noted.

The party also highlighted the damaging impact the suspension had on Senator Natasha’s work and resources. During her six-month absence, she was stripped of salaries, her legislative aides were cut off, and her access to her office was blocked. ADC condemned this treatment as a deliberate attempt to cripple her ability to function as a lawmaker. “These are not privileges; they are the instruments of public service. To take them away is nothing short of institutional mugging,” the party said.

Senior legal experts, according to the ADC, have also described the Senate’s stance as indefensible. Several Senior Advocates of Nigeria are said to have affirmed that a suspension cannot invalidate or override constitutional rights. The party insisted that a pending appeal has no bearing on a senator’s immediate right to resume duties, underscoring that the electorate’s decision cannot be annulled through administrative maneuvers.

Attention was also drawn to the role of the Clerk of the National Assembly, who has so far declined to process Natasha’s reinstatement. The ADC criticized this conduct, stressing that the Clerk’s role is administrative rather than judicial. “The Clerk is expected to facilitate the return of an elected senator, not to impose personal or political judgments on her right to serve,” Abdullahi added.

The party further warned that the mistreatment of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan sends a disturbing message to women in politics. At present, Nigeria’s Senate has only four female lawmakers out of 109 members, a mere 2.7 percent representation that is among the lowest on the African continent. Any action that appears to intimidate or undermine one of those few voices, ADC warned, risks deepening the gender imbalance in governance.

“Senator Natasha is one of the very few women breaking through the barriers of Nigerian politics. By frustrating her resumption, the Senate is not only denying her constituents representation, it is actively discouraging female participation in political leadership. Nigeria already lags behind other nations on this front, and this type of conduct makes the situation worse,” the statement emphasized.

ADC concluded its statement with a strong call to action, warning that the credibility of the Senate and the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy are both on trial. “This issue is not simply about Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. It is about whether the Nigerian people can trust that their votes matter, and whether elected officials can be silenced arbitrarily. A democracy that undermines representation cannot survive,” the party declared.

The ADC demanded that Senator Natasha be allowed to immediately resume her responsibilities as the authentic representative of Kogi Central. It maintained that anything less amounts to sabotage of democracy, an insult to the electorate, and an alarming abuse of legislative authority.

At the heart of this controversy lies a fundamental question that the Senate leadership must now confront: is the institution committed to upholding the rule of law and respecting the democratic mandate of the people, or will it continue to act as though it is above the very constitution it swore to uphold?

For the African Democratic Congress, the answer is clear. Nigeria’s future as a democratic nation depends on ensuring that voices like Natasha’s are not silenced for political convenience but allowed to echo within the chambers of power where they belong.