The Labour Party (LP) has demanded Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s immediate reinstatement following the expiration of her six-month suspension, citing democratic norms and constituent rights.
Tony Akeni, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, announced this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.
According to him, the party was made aware of an American diplomat’s opinion on the debate between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
He stated that the US diplomat had highlighted a letter from Gambian politician Fatoumatta Njai, who decried the Nigerian Senate’s violation of a court decision to reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan.
He said, “In the view of the American diplomat, the ‘abuse of the rule of law by the Nigerian senate against a subsisting court judgment, which, since July 4, 2025, nullified the suspension of Sen. Natasha and implicitly ordered her unhindered return to the senate, is shameful for your country,” referring to Nigeria.
For context, the LP representative explained that Gambia is a small West African country with a population of approximately 2.79 million.
According to its constitution, the country’s 6th Parliament, which includes 53 elected members and five lawmakers nominated by the president, was inaugurated in 2022.
He added, “The Gambian lawmaker, Hon. Fattoumatta Njai of the Gender and Children’s Welfare Committee, who is also a member of the Pan-Africa Parliament, did not just speak. She wrote her thoughts in fire for the world and posterity to bear record.
“Condemning the imperious power play by the Nigeria Senate President and his National Assembly secretariat, Hon. Njai of The Gambia urged the Nigeria Senate to immediately reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“In her letter dated September 9, 2025, which the US diplomat shared, Hon. Fattoumatta Njai pointed out that Sen. Natasha’s prolonged suspension by the Akpabio senate disobeys the court judgment of July 4, 2025, which unequivocally overturned her six-month suspension.
“Stating that the Nigerian senate’s disobedience of a court ruling undermines West Africa’s democratic civilization, the Gambian lawmaker condemned the Nigerian Senate’s refusal to admit Akpoti-Uduaghan back to the senate under any guise.
“In ringing words, Hon. Njai wrote, ‘The Senate (of Nigeria) should obey the courts. In law, one must comply first, then challenge,” stating that the continued debarment of Natasha from the senate was a “total affront to the rule of law and a threat to dissenting voices.
“Warning that silencing Akpoti-Uduaghan sends a bad signal across West Africa, she further wrote: ‘Leadership is not about silencing voices, especially those who speak truth with courage and integrity. Natasha represents the hopes of millions of women and youths across Nigeria and beyond.’
“Justice delayed is justice denied… Nigeria needs all its voices at the table. Senator Natasha must resume her duties without further delay.”
He highlighted that legal luminaries, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, had separately criticized the Senate’s persistent disregard for court rulings in the case.
Akeni further said, “As the Labour Party, we join our voice to the earnest advice of the Gambian parliamentarian and the two eminent legal luminaries of Nigeria whose salient insights we share.
“Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Justice Minister Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, a word is enough for the wise.”
