The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the Nigerian Senate’s decision to block Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming her duties after serving a six-month suspension.
According to the ADC, the Senate’s refusal to lift the suspension is “abusive and morally indefensible,” violating democratic principles and the constitution.
The party argues that since the suspension was not imposed by a court of law, extending it indefinitely is a clear breach of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constitutional rights and the mandate of the people who elected her.
The ADC also criticizes the Senate leadership, led by Godswill Akpabio, for acting as though legislative power can be exercised without accountability, noting that several Senior Advocates of Nigeria have observed that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension can no longer be used to deny her return since it has fully lapsed.
Furthermore, the party faults the clerk of the National Assembly for refusing to process her resumption, citing that the matter is sub judice, when their role is to facilitate, not adjudicate.
The party expressed concern that Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only four women in the 109-member Senate, is being unfairly targeted in a way that could discourage women’s political participation, particularly given Nigeria’s already low female representation of 2.7%.
The ADC demands that Akpoti-Uduaghan be allowed to resume her legislative duties without further delay.
