The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to immediately lift the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, condemning the decision as a violation of fundamental rights.
In a statement released on Sunday, SERAP argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was based solely on her peaceful exercise of the constitutionally and internationally recognized right to freedom of expression.
The organization urged the Senate to reinstate her and revise its procedures to prevent undue restrictions on lawmakers’ rights.
The senator was suspended last week for six months over allegations of speaking without permission and refusing to sit in her designated seat during a plenary session. The punishment also included the withdrawal of her salary and allowances, along with a restriction on representing herself as a senator.
In an open letter dated March 8, 2025, SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, emphasized that no one should be penalized for expressing their views. The letter criticized the Senate’s actions as excessive and warned that such measures could suppress free speech among lawmakers.
“The Senate should be setting an example by upholding the rule of law and protecting fundamental human rights, not violating them,” SERAP stated.
The organization accused the Senate of using the disciplinary action as a pretext to silence Akpoti-Uduaghan, further arguing that the suspension undermines both her individual rights and the political representation of her constituents.
SERAP has given Senate President Akpabio 48 hours to reverse the suspension, warning that failure to act would lead to legal proceedings against him and the Senate. “If we have not received a response within the stipulated time, we shall consider appropriate legal action to compel compliance in the public interest,” the organization declared.
