The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has demanded the immediate reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, warning that any further delay after her six-month suspension threatens Nigeria’s democracy and undermines women’s participation in governance. In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said preventing the senator from resuming her duties violates democratic principles and denies her constituents representation.
“The suspension, having been imposed by the Senate and not a court of law, has lapsed. Any further attempt to prevent her from resuming is therefore both illegal and morally indefensible,” Abdullahi stated. The party described the withdrawal of her salary, aides, and office access during the suspension as excessive punishment.
The ADC also criticised the Clerk of the National Assembly for refusing to process her resumption on the grounds of ongoing court proceedings, insisting that the Clerk’s role is administrative, not judicial. “Administrative caution must not translate into complicity. When the administrative machinery becomes hostage to political interests, the institution itself is diminished,” it noted.
Highlighting that Akpoti-Uduaghan is one of only four women in the 109-member Senate, the party warned that the handling of her case risks discouraging women from political participation. “Any action that resembles gendered intimidation of the few women in the Senate would only discourage women’s participation. Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy while excluding half of its population from key decision-making spaces,” Abdullahi added.
The ADC stressed that Akpoti-Uduaghan must be allowed to resume immediately, emphasising that the issue goes beyond an individual senator. “What is at stake here is not just one Senate seat, but the integrity of our democracy itself,” the party said.
