The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamorudeen Ogunlana, has stated that his office does not have the authority to reinstate suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, or to act on her request to resume legislative duties.
In a statement released Monday by Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, Director of Information at the National Assembly, Ogunlana clarified that his role is strictly administrative and does not extend to interpreting or reversing decisions of the Nigerian Senate.
“The Clerk does not possess the authority to review, reverse, or interpret Senate decisions,” the statement read.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate on March 6, 2025, for alleged gross misconduct, with a suspension period of six months. While her legal team, M.J. Numa & Partners LLP, has contested the suspension in court, the Clerk noted that no court order has been issued to overturn the Senate’s resolution.
Bi-Allah explained that the Clerk’s Office is bound by the Senate’s resolutions, standing orders, and the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“The Office of the Clerk remains guided by the principles of constitutionalism, institutional respect and the rule of law,” Bi-Allah added.
According to the statement, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan notified the Clerk’s Office on September 4 of her intention to resume her legislative duties, following the expiration of the six-month suspension. However, her request was forwarded to the Senate leadership, which maintained that the matter is still pending before the Court of Appeal.
Bi-Allah noted that the senator could have addressed her letter directly to the Senate President, but instead involved the Clerk’s Office, which does not have decision-making power in such matters.
The Clerk expressed dismay over a letter from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, accusing him of overstepping his bounds and threatening disciplinary and legal action. In response, Ogunlana emphasized that his actions have been fully compliant with legal procedures and institutional protocol.
“The determination of whether Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan can resume her legislative duties… lies solely with the Senate and not with the Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly,” the statement asserted.
The National Assembly clarified that only a new resolution by the Senate or a definitive court ruling can override the suspension. Until then, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s status remains unchanged.
The Clerk urged the public and stakeholders to allow the relevant constitutional institutions – including the Senate and the courts – to handle the matter appropriately
