SERAP Urges Senate to Reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Senate, led by President Godswill Akpabio, to allow Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) to immediately resume her legislative duties, as indicated in her letter to the Clerk of the National Assembly.

The appeal was made in a statement posted on SERAP’s official Facebook page on Tuesday night.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, for six months following a disagreement with the Senate President over seating arrangements in the Red Chamber.

In a letter dated September 4, 2025, and signed by Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, the Senate acknowledged receipt of the senator’s notice of her intention to resume work, claiming her suspension had ended. However, the Senate maintained that her suspension remained in effect pending the outcome of a case she filed at the Court of Appeal.

Reacting, SERAP criticized the Senate’s position, insisting that the existence of a pending court case cannot be used as a justification to block Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming her duties.

“There is no law in Nigeria that prevents the resumption of her legislative duties pending the hearing and determination of a case in court. This travesty of justice must end,” the group said.

SERAP argued that preventing the senator from resuming office undermines the rule of law and violates her constitutional and international human rights.

“The Senate must immediately honour Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s letter notifying the Clerk of her intention to resume on September 4, which she stated marked the end of her suspension,” the statement continued.

“The Senate should not continue to punish Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan solely for peacefully exercising her constitutionally and internationally protected right to freedom of expression.”

The group also demanded that the Senate pay her full salary and allowances for the duration of the suspension, describing her continued exclusion as a breach of the Nigerian Constitution and international treaties, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

“No one should be punished for ‘speaking without permission.’ Being a senator does not strip Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan of her fundamental human rights,” SERAP stated.

The organisation emphasized that the Senate ought to lead by example by upholding democratic values and protecting the rights of all Nigerians.

“A higher degree of tolerance is expected for political speech, especially when directed at government officials, including members of the Senate,” the statement added.

Source: The Sun