The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned what it described as a plot to stop Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming duties at the National Assembly.
In a statement on Tuesday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the letter issued by the clerk of the National Assembly barring Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return after her six-month suspension was “provocative” and a “clear and present danger to democracy.”
The party alleged that the move was orchestrated by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership to “deny the people of Kogi central their right of representation.”
“This attempt to weaponise the National Assembly bureaucracy against an elected senator in violation of the constitution and Senate rules is highly provocative and unacceptable,” Ologunagba said.
The PDP accused Akpabio of trying to silence opposition voices and suppress women in politics, citing what it called “sustained allegations of harassment against women” linked to him.
The opposition party urged the clerk of the National Assembly to withdraw the letter and warned against being used as a political tool.
It also called on the international community and rights groups to “rise in condemnation of this attack on democratic institutions.”
The PDP charged Akpoti-Uduaghan to “discountenance the letter and prepare to resume,” insisting that the senate leadership must allow her to take her seat without hindrance.