The National Assembly has stopped Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central, from resuming her legislative duties, insisting that her suspension remains a subject of litigation.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a letter dated August 28, 2025, had informed the Clerk to the National Assembly of her intention to return on September 4, marking what she described as the end of her six-month suspension. She argued that a Federal High Court ruling in July had declared her suspension “excessive and unconstitutional” and ordered her recall.

“I write to formally notify you of my decision to resume legislative duties upon the expiration of the suspension period,” she said, stressing that the ruling entitled her to resume full responsibilities without prejudice to the ongoing appeal at the Court of Appeal.

She also demanded immediate access to her office to enable her review pending legislative business, catch up on committee assignments, attend to constituency matters, and prepare for plenary sessions.

However, in a reply dated September 4, Acting Clerk of the National Assembly, Yahaya Danzaria, rejected her request. Danzaria stated that the senator’s suspension, which took effect on March 6, was still under judicial consideration at the appellate court.

“The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded and the Senate formally reviews the suspension in the light of the court’s pronouncement, no administrative action can be taken by this office to facilitate your resumption,” Danzaria wrote.

He added that Akpoti-Uduaghan would be duly informed once the Senate reaches a decision.

The senator was suspended on March 6 for alleged gross misconduct following an altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements.

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Monday halted fuel loading operations at depots across the country, intensifying its dispute with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery over alleged restrictions on workers’ unionisation.

The move came as marathon talks convened by the federal government to resolve the standoff dragged late into the night without an agreement. The reconciliation meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Labour in Abuja, brought together NUPENG executives, representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, and officials of Dangote Group and MRS Petroleum.

The session, co-chaired by Labour Minister Muhammed Dingyadi and Minister of State Nkeiru Onyejeocha, began hours behind schedule due to the late arrival of union leaders. Although a draft memorandum of understanding was presented for adoption, sources said disagreements over key resolutions stalled progress as of 10:15 pm.

Meanwhile, NUPENG enforced full compliance with its strike directive. Petroleum tanker drivers parked their trucks at depots in Lagos, Warri, and other locations, while filling stations in Sokoto and several states were shut. Eyewitnesses reported barricades on major roads, raising fears of looming fuel scarcity.

NUPENG President Williams Akporeha confirmed the action was nationwide, saying members had rejected alleged attempts by Dangote to bar newly recruited tanker drivers from joining the union. Some union members also accused Dangote and MRS of moves to replace them with fresh recruits.

The strike disrupted operations at facilities including the Aradel refinery in Port Harcourt and the Kwale Hydrocarbon plant in Delta State. Depots belonging to companies such as RainOil, Shell+, First Royal, and Matrix also shut down.

In Sokoto, residents expressed concern over rising transport fares after stations were locked. “If this continues, transport fares will go up, and it will affect everybody,” a tricycle operator told reporters.

The crisis has drawn solidarity from other industry unions. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) warned it could shut refinery operations if workers’ union rights were not recognised. “All diplomatic efforts have failed,” said General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, stressing that unionisation is a fundamental labour right.

The Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) also threatened to withdraw services if no resolution is reached.

NOGASA President Bennett Korie directed members supplying fuel to telecoms, hotels, and construction firms to halt deliveries from Tuesday. PETROAN President Billy Gillis-Harry also instructed members to suspend sales if the strike persists.

However, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) called for calm. Its Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, urged all parties to urgently resolve the crisis, warning that prolonged disruption could destabilise the nation’s fuel supply chain.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition is determined to protect the rights of Nigerians and safeguard the nation’s democracy.

Abubakar made the remarks on Monday during separate meetings with Aminu Tambuwal, senator representing Sokoto South, and Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation.

In a post on X, the opposition leader stressed that key figures across party lines are collaborating to defend Nigerians from what he described as “anti-democratic forces” under President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

“We will be unrelenting in defending the rights of every Nigerian being harassed by anti-democratic forces of the Tinubu-led APC administration,” Abubakar wrote. “The coalition that we are pushing is aimed at rescuing our democracy from the stranglehold of this emerging dictatorship. We shall be deliberate in joining hands in saving our democracy.”

Last week, Abubakar raised concerns about what he called a drift towards authoritarianism, citing incidents in Kaduna, Katsina, and other states.

He referenced the police invitation extended to Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, and ADC leaders in the state; the reported attack on the convoy of Malami; and the disruption of a Katsina Elders Forum meeting on security reforms. He argued that these were not isolated events but signs of a worrying pattern.