Clerk wields exclusive authority as only the Senate and the court can decide Natasha’s resumption.

September 16, 2025

The Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly has stated that it does not have the authority to facilitate the resumption of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

This clarification was made in a statement released on Monday by the Director of Information, Bulah Audu Bi-Allah.

The statement addressed recent media reports and public discussions, which it said had misrepresented the Clerk’s role in the matter.

It emphasized that the Clerk’s responsibilities are strictly administrative and guided by Senate resolutions, the Standing Orders, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

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

This development follows Senator Natasha’s attempt to resume duties on September 4, 2025, after her six-month suspension by the Senate on March 6, 2025.

The statement added that the Office duly informed Senate leadership of her communication.

“The Clerk is therefore not in a position to facilitate her resumption at this time. Only the Senate or a court can decide Senator Natasha’s resumption.

“It must be emphasised that the determination of whether Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan can resume her legislative duties as of right without any further or fresh resolution of the Senate following the expiration of her six-month suspension lies solely with the Senate and not with the Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly,” the statement affirmed.