The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Nigerian Senate, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to immediately allow Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central to resume her legislative duties.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months on March 6, 2025, following a dispute with Akpabio over seating arrangements in the Red Chamber. In a letter dated September 4, 2025, the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, acknowledged her notification of intent to resume duties, arguing that her suspension had not yet lapsed due to a pending Court of Appeal case she filed against the Senate.
However, SERAP strongly opposed the Senate’s stance, describing it as a violation of constitutional rights. In a statement issued Tuesday night via Facebook, the rights group maintained that there is no law in Nigeria preventing a legislator from resuming duties while a case is before the courts.
The statement read:
“This travesty of justice must end. Mr Godswill Akpabio and the Senate must immediately honour Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s letter notifying the clerk to the National Assembly of her intention to resume on September 4, the date she said marked the end of her six-month suspension.”
SERAP argued that preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming office was a breach of both the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights treaties, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The group further demanded that the Senate pay Akpoti-Uduaghan her salaries and allowances for the entire duration of her suspension, stressing that no senator should be punished for exercising the right to free expression.
According to SERAP, “The Senate should set an example by upholding the rule of law and protecting fundamental rights, not suppressing them. A higher degree of tolerance is expected when political speech is involved, especially when directed at government officials.”
