The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the Senate’s refusal to allow Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to resume after completing her six-month suspension.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the Senate’s stance as malicious, illegal, and morally indefensible. The ADC said such obstruction represents a direct assault on Nigeria’s democracy.
ADC: Obstruction is Illegal and a Threat to Democracy
“The suspension of Senator Natasha was imposed by the Senate, not by any court of law. Whether or not one agrees with the reasons for that action, the period of suspension has ended. Any further attempt to block her return is both illegal and morally indefensible,” the statement read.
The ADC warned that the issue goes beyond Natasha and stressed that it sets a dangerous precedent by allowing leaders to ignore the people’s will.
“This is not about party politics. It is about a precedent that reduces democratic representation to the whims of a few, instead of respecting the will of the electorate,” Abdullahi said.
The party emphasized that voters in Kogi Central duly elected Senator Natasha to represent them. It argued that blocking her access to the chamber also silences her constituents.
Party Warns Against Intimidation of Women in Politics
According to the statement, Senator Natasha was denied salaries, legislative aides, and access to her office during her suspension. “These are not privileges but tools of public service. Stripping an elected senator of them amounts to institutional mugging,” ADC declared.
The party further accused the Senate leadership of behaving as if they are above the law. It added that several Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) have confirmed that her suspension cannot legally prevent her return. “A pending legal appeal does not suspend constitutional rights or give any official power to override the people’s mandate,” the statement noted.
The ADC also criticized the Clerk of the National Assembly for refusing to process her resumption, insisting that his role is administrative, not judicial.
Highlighting the gender dimension, the party warned that Natasha’s treatment could further discourage women from politics.
“Senator Natasha is one of only four women in a Senate of 109 members. Nigeria’s 2.7% female representation is already one of the lowest in Africa. Any move that appears like intimidation of women will worsen this record and discourage female participation,” the ADC stressed.
ADC Demands Immediate Reinstatement
The party concluded that Nigeria cannot claim to uphold democracy while marginalizing women and silencing elected voices.
“What is at stake here is not just one Senate seat but the integrity of our democracy,” the statement declared.
The ADC therefore demanded that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan be allowed to resume her legislative duties without delay.
