The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to immediately reverse the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing it as “patently unlawful” and a violation of her right to freedom of expression.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months last week over allegations of “speaking without permission” and refusing to occupy her reassigned seat in the Senate chamber. As part of the suspension, her salary and allowances have been withheld, and she has been barred from identifying as a senator.
In an open letter dated March 8, 2025, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation gave the Senate President a 48-hour ultimatum to lift the suspension, warning of legal action if he fails to comply.
“No one should ever be punished for ‘speaking without permission.’ Being a senator does not deprive Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan of her fundamental human rights,” the letter stated.
SERAP argued that the suspension violates both the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights laws. Citing Section 39 of the Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the group maintained that the Senate’s action was both “unlawful and disproportionate.”
“The Senate should be setting an example by upholding the rule of law and promoting and protecting fundamental human rights, not stamping them out,” Oluwadare stated.
The organisation also condemned the suspension for undermining the political rights of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents in Kogi Central Senatorial District.
“The suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has restricted and seriously undermined the ability of the residents of her constituency to participate in their own government,” the letter added.
SERAP urged the Senate to reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan and amend its standing orders to prevent undue restrictions on lawmakers’ freedom of expression. It stressed that the Senate’s internal rules cannot override constitutional rights.
“The Senate Standing Orders 2023 should not and cannot set aside Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s right to express herself,” the organisation argued, adding that any restrictions on free speech must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate.
SERAP warned that if the suspension is not reversed within the given timeframe, it will seek judicial intervention to challenge the decision.