The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to overturn the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, labelling it “blatantly illegal” and a violation of her right to freedom of speech.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was handed a six-month suspension last week after being accused of addressing the Senate without authorisation and rejecting her newly assigned seat. Alongside her suspension, her salary and allowances have been frozen, and she has been prohibited from identifying as a senator throughout the period.
The organisation made the call to Akpabio in a statement on Sunday, March 9, titled “Rescind Unlawful Suspension of Natasha Akpoti or Face Legal Action, SERAP Tells Akpabio”.
In a letter dated March 8, 2025, SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, cautioned that if Akpabio failed to reverse the decision within 48 hours, legal action would be taken. “Nobody should be penalised for ‘speaking without permission.’ Holding a Senate seat does not strip Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan of her fundamental rights,” the letter stated.
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SERAP maintained that the suspension directly infringes upon her constitutionally and internationally recognised right to free expression, citing Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“Rather than suppressing fundamental rights, the Senate ought to set an example by respecting the rule of law and protecting freedoms,” Oluwadare asserted.
The organisation also condemned the Senate’s actions for depriving the people of Kogi Central of proper representation. “By suspending Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senate has significantly hindered her constituents’ ability to engage in governance,” SERAP remarked.
SERAP pressed for her immediate reinstatement and called for reforms to the Senate’s standing orders to prevent restrictions on free speech. It further warned that failure to act would result in judicial intervention.
“Senate Standing Orders 2023 cannot and must not override Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s right to voice her opinions,” the organisation emphasised, adding that any speech restrictions must meet legal, necessary, and proportional standards.