A Gambian legislator, Fatoumatta Njai, has urged the Nigerian Senate to reinstate Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central.
In a letter dated August 28, 2025, Akpoti-Uduaghan informed the clerk to the national assembly of her plan to resume on September 4, stating that the date marked the completion of her six-month suspension.
However, on Tuesday, the national assembly stopped her from resuming duties, maintaining that her suspension remains under judicial consideration.
Njai, who chairs the Gambian parliament’s committee on gender and children’s welfare, made her appeal in a letter dated September 9, 2025, and addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
She argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, which has already lasted six months, was excessive and inconsistent with the 1999 constitution.
“Today it is the distinguished senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, tomorrow it could be me,” Njai wrote.
“I believe that after the six months of unlawful suspension, she must be reinstated with immediate effect.”
On July 4, 2025, Justice Binta Nyako of the federal high court ruled that suspending a lawmaker for six months was excessive.
Njai accused the Senate of ignoring that judgment by blocking Akpoti-Uduaghan from returning on July 22, 2025.
“In total disregard of its own standing orders, the senate has now extended the unlawful suspension beyond six months,” she said.
“This is a total affront to the rule of law and disregard for the court ruling. The senate should know that leadership is not about silencing voices, especially those who dare to speak truth with courage and integrity.”
The Gambian lawmaker stressed that Akpoti-Uduaghan stands not only for her constituents but also for women and youth who value justice, fairness, and equal representation.
“As the largest country in ECOWAS, Nigeria must set a good example at the regional level,” she said.
“I firmly call on the immediate recall of the senator as I believe that justice delayed is justice denied. Senator Natasha must be allowed to resume her duties immediately without any further delay.”
Earlier in February, Akpoti-Uduaghan had clashed with Akpabio over a seating arrangement change.
The Senate later suspended her for “gross misconduct”.