The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to reverse the suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In an open letter dated March 8, 2025, and signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP described the suspension as unlawful and a violation of her right to freedom of expression.
SERAP warned that failure to reinstate the senator within 48 hours would result in legal action against the Senate leadership.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months last week over allegations of “speaking without permission” and refusing to accept her newly assigned seat in the upper legislative chamber.
The suspension also bars her from receiving salaries and allowances and from representing herself as a senator.
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SERAP, however, insists that her suspension is based solely on her peaceful exercise of free speech, which is protected under both Nigerian and international law.
The organisation argues that suspending a senator for expressing her views contradicts Nigeria’s constitutional and international obligations to uphold freedom of speech and political participation.
SERAP emphasised that the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan violates Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution (1999, as amended), which guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of expression, including the right to hold opinions and receive and impart information without interference.
The organisation also referenced Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which explicitly protects individuals’ rights to receive information and freely express their opinions.
Furthermore, SERAP cited Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which mandates that any restrictions on free speech must serve a legitimate purpose and must not jeopardize the right itself.
SERAP also warns that the suspension undermines the rights of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents in Kogi Central, effectively denying them political representation.
“The Senate should be setting an example by upholding the rule of law, not suppressing fundamental human rights,” SERAP stated.
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“Punishing a senator for peacefully expressing her views is unlawful, unnecessary, and disproportionate.”
The rights group urged the Senate to revise its parliamentary rules to ensure they do not unduly restrict lawmakers’ rights.
It emphasised that higher tolerance is expected for political speech, particularly when directed at government institutions.
