The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to promptly lift the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, labeling the action as “blatantly unlawful.”
In a statement on Sunday, SERAP argued that the suspension was based solely on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s peaceful exercise of her constitutionally and internationally recognized right to freedom of expression.
“The Senate should immediately reinstate Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan and revise parliamentary procedures that unduly restrict senators’ human rights,” SERAP stated.
Last week, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for allegedly speaking without permission and refusing to sit in her assigned seat during a plenary session. As part of the suspension, she was stripped of her salary and allowances and barred from representing herself as a senator.
In an open letter dated March 8, 2025, and signed by SERAP’s deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization stressed that “no one should ever be punished for speaking without permission.”
SERAP insisted that being a senator does not deprive Akpoti-Uduaghan of her fundamental human rights.
“The Senate should be setting an example by upholding the rule of law and protecting fundamental human rights, not violating them,” the letter read.
SERAP argued that the suspension was unnecessary and disproportionate, warning that it could discourage other senators from freely expressing themselves.
The organization maintained that the grounds cited by the Senate appeared to be a pretext to silence Akpoti-Uduaghan and restrict her fundamental rights.
“Suspending Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan for peacefully exercising her right to freedom of expression undermines not only her rights but also the right of her constituency to political participation,” SERAP added.
SERAP gave the Senate President 48 hours to reverse the suspension, warning that it would take legal action if no action was taken.
“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal action to compel you and the Senate to comply with our requests in the public interest,” the letter stated.
SERAP also highlighted that the suspension violated Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantees citizens the right to political participation through freely chosen representatives.
Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment and has submitted a petition to the Senate, requesting an investigation.
