N’Assembly Clerk Denies Role in Natasha’s Blockade

The Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly has denied reports suggesting it has the authority to decide whether suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, can resume legislative duties.

In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, the Director of Information, Mullah Bi-Allah, speaking on behalf of the Clerk’s office, clarified that the institution only serves as an administrative arm of the legislature and has no powers to review or overturn resolutions of the Senate.

“The Clerk does not possess the authority to review, reverse or interpret Senate decisions,” the statement read.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, a first-time senator elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, was suspended by the Senate on March 6, 2025, following a resolution barring her from parliamentary activities for six months.

Although she challenged the suspension in court, the Federal High Court declined to invalidate the decision. The matter is currently pending before the Court of Appeal.

On September 4, the lawmaker wrote to the Clerk of the National Assembly, notifying the office of her intention to resume legislative duties.

However, the Clerk’s office insisted that such correspondence should have been directed to the President of the Senate in line with parliamentary protocol.