by Nigerian News24 Correspondents
The Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly has clarified that it has no authority to facilitate the resumption of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a statement released on Monday by the Director of Information, Bulah Audu Bi-Allah, the office said recent media reports and public commentary had misrepresented its role in the matter.
The statement explained that the Clerk’s duties are strictly administrative and guided by Senate resolutions, the Standing Orders, and the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“The Clerk does not possess the authority to review, reverse, or interpret Senate decisions,” it stated.
This clarification comes after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to resume duties on September 4, 2025, following the expiration of her six-month suspension imposed by the Senate on March 6, 2025.
The Clerk’s Office confirmed it had duly notified Senate leadership of her communication but stressed it could not act beyond its mandate.
“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,” the statement noted.
It further emphasized that the question of whether the senator can return to her legislative duties without a fresh Senate resolution rests entirely with the Senate and not the Clerk’s Office.