By Kingston Magare
Natasha Akpoti’s quest to return to the National Assembly this week will take a while longer as the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamorudeen Ogunlana, said it is only the Senate led by Godswill Akpabio that can give the go ahead.
The six months suspend slammed on the Senator representing Kogi Central due to her spat with the Senate president in March lapsed on September 4, but according to Mr. Ogunlana in a statement made available Monday by the Director of Information National Assembly, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, the office of the clerk functions strictly as an administrative arm, supporting the senate in line with its resolutions, standing orders, and the 1999 Constitution.
“The Clerk does not possess the authority to review, reverse or interpret Senate decisions,” the statement read.
“The Clerk’s Office serves strictly as an administrative arm, providing support to the Senate in accordance with their resolutions, Standing Orders and the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended)
He explained that the Senate leadership maintained that any change to her suspension must be backed by either a new resolution or a definite court order.
“It must be emphasized that the determination of whether Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan can resume her legislative duties as of right without any further or fresh resolution of the Senate following the expiration of her six months suspension lies solely with the Senate and not with the office of the Clerk to the National Assembly.
“The Office of the Clerk remains guided by the principles of constitutionalism, institutional respect and the rule of law. The public is urged to remain patient and allow the appropriate institutions – including the Senate and the courts – to discharge their constitutional responsibilities,” the statement added.